Resurfacing works that will close a section of the Avon Gorge have been brought forward.

West Lothian Council (WLC) had planned to carry out carriageway resurfacing works on the A801/A706 Avon Gorge with works due to start on Monday, August 24.

However, the council has now revealed the works will start earlier than previously announced.

They say the road closure will now begin on Wednesday, August 19 for “a period of up to two weeks”.

A section of road on the West Lothian Council side of the Avon Gorge will be closed for two weeks for surfacing works. The road will be closed from the stretch leading to the traffic lights at the gorge onto the A706 to Westfield Roundabout. (Pic: Google Maps)

placeholder image — A section of road on the West Lothian Council side of the Avon Gorge will be closed for two weeks for surfacing works. The road will be closed from the stretch leading to the traffic lights at the gorge onto the A706 to Westfield Roundabout. (Pic: Google Maps)

A road closure will be in place to facilitate the construction works “due to the nature of the works and the location”.

A diversion route will be in place and local access will be maintained at all times.

A spokesperson for the council said: “The works will consist of lifting the existing surface and replacing it with a new close graded asphalt concrete surface as well as resetting or replacing any defective ironwork and the installation of new high friction surfacing.”

The section of the road closed is on the West Lothian side of the gorge on the uphill stretch towards the traffic lights heading towards Bathgate and onto the A706 until Westfield Roundabout.

A map of the official diversion route for the two weeks when West Lothian Council resurface a section of the A801/A706 Avon Gorge. The red section on the map shows the road closure for the works. (Pic: West Lothian Council)

Diversion route maps published by WLC show the left fork on the West Lothian side of the bridge heading towards Linlithgow will remain open.

The official diversion route – based on HGV movements – directs motorists on a lengthy diversion along the M9 from junction four (Lathallan) towards Edinburgh, to join the M8 using junction four (East Whitburn Interchange) and the A801.