DRIVERS in East Ayrshire are being warned that a busy section of the A70 is set to close near Ochiltree this weekend.

The Ayrshire Roads Alliance, who carry out roadworks on behalf of East Ayrshire Council, will be carrying out essential road resurfacing works on the road.

Two weekend road closures will be in place on December 2 and 3, and again on December 9 and 10, to allow resurfacing work to take place.

The road is set to be closed from 8am on Saturday and will re-open no later than 8pm each Sunday during the two weekends.

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A full closure will be in place between Ochiltree Main Street and Mote Toll.

Works will involve removing sections of the existing road surface, deep patching, laying a base course, adjusting ironware, laying a new surface course and renewing the associated road markings and studs.

The official alternative route for non-high sided vehicles will be signed via the A70 to Cumnock, A76 through Mauchline to the A719 at Crossroads, then to the A77 at Sandyford Toll and from there to the Holmston roundabout, rejoining the A70 through Coalhall towards Ochiltree.

Eastbound traffic will be diverted via the same route in reverse.

Westbound high-sided vehicles will be diverted at Coalhall, following the B730 to Drongan, the B7046 to Sinclairston and the U728 unclassified road to Glenconner before re-joining the A70 at Mote Toll and vice versa.