A WEEKEND of roadworks will close part of a key route between Ayrshire and Inverclyde early next month.

Essential resurfacing will take place ​on the A78 at Skelmorlie, between Station Road and Heywood Gardens, from Thursday, October 3 until Sunday, October 6.

Amey, who undertake maintenance on the trunk road on behalf of Transport Scotland, say that there will be a daytime closure on October 6, as well as overnight closures.

The details are as follows:

Phase one: Overnight closures between Heywood Gardens and north of the Station Road junction will be in effect from Thursday, October 3 until Sunday, October 6 between the hours of 9pm and 6am each night.

Phase two: Total daytime road closure between Longhill and Eglington Terrace on Sunday, October 6 between 6am and 9pm.

Three-way temporary traffic lights will be in operation at Longhill Junction to manage the sharp turn from Shore Road and to accommodate the site traffic exit. Church access will be maintained.

Signed diversions will be in operation as follows:

Southbound traffic will follow the northbound A78 to Greenock to join the A8 at Bullring Roundabout, then travel through Newark Roundabout and exit onto the A761 through Kilmacolm.

From here, vehicles will continue on the B790 Houston Road and Bridge of Weir Road and then the B789 Barrochan Road to Deafhillock Roundabout.

Diverted traffic will then follow the southbound A737 to Beith and Kilbirnie and finally join the A760 Bridge Street to travel towards Largs, where they can rejoin the southbound A78.

Northbound through traffic will follow the same diversion in the opposite direction.

Residents' access for those living within the work areas will be maintained.

Access for emergency service vehicles will also be maintained throughout the works. Bus operators have been consulted to ensure services can be maintained while the road closures are in place.

The works were originally scheduled for May 2024, but have been rescheduled at the request of elected members and need to be completed prior to the start of the winter period as they are weather dependent.

Amey says the works may be cancelled or rescheduled if weather conditions are not favourable.

The scheme is set to benefit vehicles using the route each day, by improving the condition of the carriageway and reducing the need for more extensive maintenance in the future.