Drivers are now set to be hit with two sets of temporary lights within half a mile of each other on the A76 next week.

Works are already being carried out on the A76 Howford Bridge.

Amey - who are taking on the work - said that separate work will take place in March, with the current work being preparatory.

The firm has not given any timeframe for the current set of works, but phase two on the southbound carriageway will start in March. No official date has been given for that yet.

Now, drivers on Monday, February 6 could be faced with more delays along the road, as Openreach work is set to take place on the A76, between the B713 junction to Catrine and the junction towards Ochiltree.

It was believed that the work was originally supposed to go ahead last week, but the new date has now been confirmed. 

This work is set to last for at least one week, until Tuesday, February 14.

Contractors have now also confirmed to the Chronicle that the work will be carried out using temporary traffic lights in both directions.

An Openreach spokesperson said: "We're extending our full fibre network in East Ayrshire as part of the Scottish Government's Reaching 100% programme, bringing high-speed broadband to the hardest-to-reach local homes.

"Wherever we can, we use our existing duct-and-pole network to help us avoid digging and disruption. But in order to reach some properties, or to remove silt blockages from ducts so we can reuse them, we may need to carry out roadworks.

"We work closely with East Ayrshire Council and our contractors, in this case Morrison Telecom Services, to plan roadworks to reduce the impact on local people and drivers as much as possible.

"We're sorry for any short-term disruption, which should be outweighed by the long-term benefits fast, reliable connectivity will bring."