• Overnight road closures on weekend of 5-7 July 2024

The A702 south of West Linton will be closed overnight on the weekend of 5 to 7 July, to allow Transport Scotland’s operating company BEAR Scotland to lift new precast concrete retaining walls into place as part of a major refurbishment of Westwater Bridge.

The trunk road will be closed in both directions at Westwater Bridge between 20:00 and 06:00 on these nights.

In the event that works are delayed, for example due to inclement weather, the A702 will be closed again on the nights of Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 July.

A signed diversion route suitable for trunk road traffic will be in place, with northbound traffic directed to leave the A702 at Melbourne Crossroads and follow the A721, A72, A701 and A703, re-joining the A702 at Hillend. Southbound traffic will be directed to follow the same route in reverse.

This will add an additional 3.6 miles and approximately 14 minutes to affected journeys.  Alternative routes are available in the local vicinity of West Linton, however these are not suitable for all vehicles.

Local access for residents and emergency services will be maintained up to the closure points around Westwater Bridge, however it will not be possible to cross the bridge itself during these closures.

Consultation has been carried out with relevant stakeholders to make them aware of the plans in advance.

David Bishop, BEAR Scotland Unit Bridges Manager, said: “We are undertaking essential improvements at Westwater bridge as part of major refurbishment works which started at the end of May.

“Part of these improvements involves the installation of new precast concrete retaining walls and it is essential for the safety of road users and our workforce that we fully close the A702 while these heavy units are lifted into place.  To minimise disruption, we have planned these works to be undertaken overnight.

“We’re grateful to road users and the local community for their patience and understanding.”

Real time journey information is available from Traffic Scotland at www.traffic.gov.scot, or on X at @trafficscotland.