A VILLAGE with World Heritage Site status faces weeks of traffic chaos when its only through road is being resurfaced.

The works, which will cost £700,000, will take place in New Lanark.

They will include deep patching, putting in kerbing and edge retention, cleaning of the existing surface water drainage and stabilising the road edge opposite the stairs at King George V Park.

They will take place over almost seven weeks, from April 1 to May 16.

The first three weeks will be mostly preparation work, using temporary traffic signals or convoy working to allow access to residential and commercial properties in the village.

The final four weeks of the works will require New Lanark Road to be closed because of its width and geometry and for the health and safety of the public and site workers.

The closures will take place Monday-Friday, 8am 8pm. Access will still be maintained for emergency services.

Councillor Chris Thompson, chairman of South Lanarkshire Council's Enterprise Services Committee, said: "These vital resurfacing works pose very particular challenges for our roads and transportation workers.

"There is no solution that does not involve disruption and inconvenience to road users and we apologise for that. However, we have come up with a programme we hope will have the least impact on residents and businesses."

New Lanark was designated a Heritage Site by Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) in 2001.

The 18th century cotton mill village has been magnificently restored as a living community over the last 40 years.

stef.lach@ heraldandtimes.co.uk