A BUSY road through Selkirk's riverside area is to be closed for the next 20 weeks.

Dunsdale Haugh will be closed from Tuesday to allow for Selkirk Flood Protection Scheme works.

A similar closure during the winter of 2014/15 led to lorries and other traffic being diverted through the town centre.

This time a diversion route which has just been built through the recycling centre will be in operation.

Selkirk councillor Gordon Edgar said: “A considerable amount of work has gone into this diversion route, which should make sure road users do not suffer disruption to their journeys.

“It is also worth adding that the businesses in the Dunsdale Haugh area remain open for business throughout the road closure.

“Selkirk Flood Protection Scheme is now less than a year from completion and will offer long-term protection to large areas of the town. The effectiveness of the Scheme has already been proven during the recent winter storms.”

The closure is needed to allow a flood protection wall to be constructed between the Shaw Burn and Dunsdale Haugh.

A new culvert will also be installed under the road.

The existing road network within the Riverside area has been substantially upgraded with new sections of link road constructed in an effort to minimise disruption to residents and businesses.

The £31.4million Selkirk Flood Protection Scheme – which will protect almost 600 properties in the town against a major flood event - is due to be completed by the end of this year.

Work on Selkirk Community Recycling Centre – which was closed to allow the diversion route to pass through its old site – is progressing well with the facility due to be opened in late June.