Drivers on the A76 are facing a huge 75-mile detour when a section of the trunk route closes for roadworks on the new year.

Trunk road maintenance company Amey says it will be resurfacing a stretch of the road near Sanquhar for four nights in January.

Drivers heading south from Sanquhar towards Dumfries will face a huge diversion via Cumnock, Abington, Carronbridge and Thornhill.

Amey says the road will be shut south of Sanquhar between 7pm and 6am every night from Monday, January 15 until Friday, January 19.

Cumnock Chronicle: The planned closure route.The planned closure route. (Image: Amey)

Diversions are as follows:

Northbound- Traffic will leave the A76, turn right onto the C133N Holestane Road near Drumlanrig Castle, then turn left onto the A702 north of Carronbridge and continue north to Abington services roundabouts where they will join the B7078 and continue to Millbank, turning left onto the A70 Ayr Road east to Cumnock to rejoin the A76 at Dettingen Roundabout and head through New Cumnock.

Southbound- Traffic will take the exit at Dettingen Roundabout onto the A70 through Cumnock to the B7078 and then proceed to Abington Services, before taking the A702 south to Carronbridge. Traffic wishing to head north on the A76 will be directed south to Thornhill roundabout where they will be able to turn and travel north.

Amey says access for emergency service vehicles will be maintained throughout the works.

All schemes are weather dependent and may be cancelled or rescheduled if weather conditions are not favourable.

This scheme will aim to benefit around 3,000 vehicles using this route each day.