FIVE weeks of roadworks – including weekend closures and weekday convoys – on a key route linking South and East Ayrshire will begin at the end of this month, roads bosses have announced.

Essential resurfacing will be carried out on two sections of the A713 Ayr to Dalmellington route from Saturday, July 30.

The road works will involve removing sections of the existing road surface, deep patching, laying a base course, adjusting ironware, laying a new surface course and renewing the associated road markings and studs.

The Ayrshire Roads Alliance says the section of the road between Polnessan and Main Street in Patna will be closed between 8am and 12 noon, and 1pm to 6pm, on the weekends of July 30-31 and August 6-7.

Some preparatory work will be required during weekdays, with convoy arrangements in place, and drivers are being warned that delays are possible.

Two alternative routes will be signposted, one of them specifically for high-sided vehicles.

That phase of the work is expected to take up to two weeks.

The second phase of the project, due to last for up to three weeks, is scheduled to start on Saturday, August 13 south of Hollybush, between Smithson Farm and Holehouse Cottages.

This section of the road will be closed between 8am and 6pm on the weekends of August 13 and 14, August 20 and 21, and August 27 and 28.

An alternative route will be signed via A713 through Hollybush, B742 to Coylton, A70 to Coalhall, B730 through Drongan to re-join the A713 and vice versa.

Emergency access will be maintained at all times throughout the duration of the works.

Electronic message signs will be placed on the A713 to inform the travelling public of each weekend road closure.

Updates on the progress of the work will be provided on the Ayrshire Roads Alliance website and on social media @AyrshireRoads.

There will also be a reduced bus service between Ayr and Dalmellington during each of the weekend closures.

For more information on changes to the bus service timetable, please contact Stagecoach on 0345 241 8000 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat-Sun 9am-5pm) or see stagecoachbus.com.