OVERNIGHT maintenance work to repair a damaged expansion joint on the A985 Kincardine Bridge will start later this week.

The repair work, which is expected to cost around £20,000, will take place each night from 8pm-5am, starting on Thursday and due to finish on Sunday.

The bridge will be completely closed during the work but will be open as normal outwith these times. The pedestrian footpaths/cycle paths will remain open throughout. Diversions will be in place via the A876 Clackmannanshire Bridge, outlined below: Eastbound Diversion Route: A985 will be closed eastbound at Higgins Neuk Roundabout, traffic will be diverted over the A876 Clackmannanshire Bridge towards Kilbagie roundabout. At Kilbagie roundabout, traffic will be diverted on to the A977 towards Kincardine. The diversion route will continue through Kincardine and on to the Old Tolls roundabout (Longannet Power Station), where the diversion will end.

Westbound Diversion Route: The Kincardine Bridge will be closed at the A985 junction with the north approach road through Kincardine. Westbound traffic will be diverted at the Old Tolls roundabout (Longannet Power Station) on to the A977 through Kincardine. The diversion route will continue through Kincardine to Kilbagie roundabout. At Kilbagie roundabout, traffic will be diverted across the A876 Clackmannanshire Bridge towards Higgins Neuk roundabout, where the diversion will end.

As the works will be carried out during nightshift working, only minimal delays are expected for vehicles using this diversion route. Road users are asked to plan their journey accordingly.

This maintenance scheme been has planned in consultation with Kincardine Community Council and Fife, Falkirk, Clackmannanshire and Stirling councils.

Around 6500 vehicles use this stretch of the A985 each day. Real-time journey information can be obtained by visiting www.trafficscotland.org To report a problem on the network please visit: http://scottishtrunkroadsse.amey.co.uk/report-a-problem/