The cost of vital repair work to Ayr's historic Newton Tower has been revealed.

The category B listed building, which dates back to 1795, will be treated with a new lime-based render, replacing the cement which is in poor condition.

The repair works started this week and will see the defective cement-based render removed and the sandstone prepared with a new lime-based render before being finished in breathable masonry paint.

Scaffolding will be erected around the tower as part of the works which means surrounding roads will be affected.

An area of vegetation on the traffic island will also be removed to allow the installation of a site compound.

The works are set to finish this December.

South Ayrshire Council has now confirmed that the works are expected to cost £134,000, with the whole of the building in "poor condition". 

A spokesperson said: "The works carried out seven years ago were maintenance repairs and included localised patching of the render where defective.

"The contract about to start includes a full strip and re-render of the tower to upgrade the external finishes. Statutory consents, including listed building consent, require the use of appropriate materials for this work, i.e. lime based render.

"The whole of the building is currently in a poor condition, not just where maintenance repairs were carried out seven years ago.

"The trees to be removed are not suitable for a small traffic island and are restricting views of the tower and wider views of the junction. Replacement trees will be planted on completion of the render works.

"The cost of the works is £134,000."

On King Street, west bound, heading towards Main Street, the lane closest to the tower will be closed. Traffic approaching Main Street will still be able to turn left and right.

On King Street, east bound heading towards the roundabout, the lane closest to the tower will be closed up to the roundabout. Traffic will be restricted to the left-hand lane.

If you are on Main Street, with Aldi on your left, the right-hand lane outside the supermarket will be closed. Traffic continuing on Main Street or turning right onto King Street will use the same lane.

If you are approaching the tower on Main Street heading towards the river, the inside lane will be closed along-with the footpath. All traffic will turn left from the middle lane onto King Street with the bus lane unaffected (buses can proceed on Main Street past the tower).