Motorists warned of disruption ahead as improvement works get underway on A1, A7 and A68
Last updated 26th Jul 2025
Motorists in the Borders are being warned of disruption ahead as works get underway on a number of improvements on the A1, A7 and A68.
Roads contractor BEAR Scotland, acting on behalf of Transport Scotland, is apologising in advance for any inconvenience.
Temporary traffic lights are set to installed on the A1 for the next 14 days from Saturday, July 26th, to allow joint replacement and resurfacing works on Tower New Bridge, around two miles south of the Cockburnspath roundabout.
They'll be manually controlled during peak times, but motorists are advised to plan ahead and allow additional time for their journeys.
David Bishop, BEAR Scotland’s South East unit Bridges Manager, said: “It is necessary to manage traffic with temporary lights at this location to allow us to undertake these essential bridge works as safely as possible.
“We thank road users in advance for their patience and understanding during these essential works.”
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Elsewhere, a section of the A7, around 12 miles south of Hawick, is set to close overnight for 13 nights to allow for resurfacing works near Linhope.
Diversions will be in place between 7.30pm and 6am each weekday night, from Tuesday, July 29th to Thursday, August 14th.
The route - between Hawick and Canonbie - will add approximately 7.7 miles and 20 minutes to affected journeys.
But emergency services will be given access through the works at all times and local access for residents within the closure points will be maintained when it is safe to pass through the work area.
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Tommy Deans, BEAR Scotland’s South East Network Manager, said: “These surfacing improvements will result in smoother and safer journeys for people using the A7 south of Hawick.
“It’s essential for safety that we close the road during the works, however we’ll do this overnight to minimise the disruption caused."
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Meanwhile, drainage improvement works are set to take place on A68 at Lothian Bridge, north of Pathhead, on Monday, August 4th.
To ensure the safety of all road users and road workers, a full road closure will take place between 7.30pm and 6.30am each night.
A signed diversion route will be in place between Pathhead and A6372, via Ford Road.
Outwith working hours temporary traffic lights will be in place. All traffic management will be removed by 6.30am on Saturday, August 9th.
Mr Deans added: “These ongoing works will enhance drainage on this stretch of the A68, improving safety for motorists using the trunk road."
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