Summer of repairs and disruption ahead for Dumfries

A MAJOR programme of road improvements will take place around Dumfries this summer, but will result in disruption for motorists.

There will be resurfacing, surface dressing and micro-surfacing taking place from June 29 through to early September.

Locations include major routes such as Edinburgh Road (A701), Lockerbie Road (A709), Annan Road, Buccleuch Street, Laurieknowe, and New Abbey Road (A710), alongside a range of town centre and residential streets.

Council officials stress the projects will be phased and say they have been scheduled, where possible, over the school summer holiday period to reduce the impact on peak-time traffic.

However, due to the ongoing impacts of the Annan Road Scottish Water issues and other activity across the town, they admit it will result in disruption to traffic.

A spokesperson said: “The scale of activity, combined with existing constraints on the network, is expected to place additional pressure on alternative routes and may lead to longer journey times, particularly at peak periods.

“Some disruption is expected, including temporary road closures, diversions and traffic management measures, and there may be impacts on bus routes and timetables. The council is working to minimise inconvenience and carefully coordinate activity where possible, but some cumulative impact is unavoidable.”

The work forms part of a wider investment of over £30 million to improve the region’s road network over the coming years.

Commenting, Councillor Tony Berretti said: “We recognise this will cause disruption, particularly given other works across the town, and we are working to minimise this wherever possible.

“These improvements are essential to maintaining a safe and reliable road network and we ask residents for their patience while this work is carried out.”