BEAR Scotland have announced a £1.2 million programme of surfacing improvement works for the A96 at Pitmachie Farm, near Inverurie, set to get underway on Friday 18 March.

The scheme involves milling out 1100m of carriageway, recycling this material onsite using the Eurovia UK Recofoam process and reusing it to lay some of the new pavement layers.

The project is expected to get underway on Friday 18 March and is programmed to take place over two consecutive weekends with all surfacing due to be completed by 6.30am on Monday 28 March.

The works are programmed to take place as follows:

• Phase One

The first phase of the project is scheduled to begin on Friday 18 March at 7.30pm and is planned to take place over one weekend with works expected to be completed by 6.30am Monday 21 March. To ensure the safety of roadworkers and motorists, the A96 will be closed both northbound and southbound from the B9002 at Oyne to B992 at Kellockbank for cars and light good vehicles. Northbound traffic will be diverted off the A96 onto the B9002 at Oyne, onto the B992 at Insch and back onto the A96. The diversion for southbound traffic will be the opposite of that for northbound traffic. For HGVs and high sided vehicles, the A96 will be closed from Blackhall Roundabout to A920 at Colpy. North bound traffic will be diverted off the A96 at the Blackhall Roundabout onto the B9170 Blackhall Road, then onto Burghmuir Drive, the B9001, A920 at Wartle and then back onto the A96 at Colpy. The diversion for southbound traffic will again be the reverse of this.

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• Phase Two

The second phase of works will begin on Friday 25 March at 7.30pm and is planned to take place over one weekend with all works expected to be completed by 6.30am Monday 28 March. For safety, the A96 will be closed both northbound and southbound from the B9002 at Oyne to B992 at Kellockbank for cars and light good vehicles. Northbound traffic will be diverted off the A96 onto the B9002 at Oyne, onto the B992 at Insch and back onto the A96. The diversion for southbound traffic will be the opposite of that for northbound traffic.

For HGVs and high sided vehicles, the A96 will be closed from Blackhall Roundabout to A920 at Colpy. North bound traffic will be diverted off the A96 at the Blackhall Roundabout onto the B9170 Blackhall Road, then onto Burghmuir Drive, the B9001, A920 at Wartle and then back onto the A96 at Colpy. The diversion for southbound traffic will again be the reverse of this

Consultation has taken place with all relevant stakeholders in advance of the surfacing improvements to make them aware of the traffic management arrangements.

Commenting on the improvements, Ian Stewart, BEAR Scotland's North East Unit Representative, said: "This £1.2M investment for Transport Scotland will greatly improve and strengthen this section of the A96 at Pitmachie Farm, as well create a smoother and safer journey for motorists.

"The road closures are essential for ensuring the safety of road workers and motorists however we've taken steps to limit the overall impact of the project by carrying out the work over two weekends and programming operations to take place consecutively where possible.

"We thank motorists for the patience in advance while our teams carry out these essential improvements on the A96. We encourage them to plan their journeys in advance by checking the Traffic Scotland website for up to date travel information and allow some extra time to reach their destination."