By Stuart Gillespie
A major Dumfries turning has been completely closed due to drivers using it 鈥渋llegally鈥. SGN began work on the A701 turning from the Bloomfield roundabout last week. At that point, only the northbound lane was closed to drivers, with drivers taken on a detour via Lochmaben and Lockerbie. However, they have now been closed to shut the southbound lane as well. An SGN spokesman said: 鈥淚n consultation with Amey, we鈥檝e needed to implement a southbound lane closure as well, after multiple vehicles have been exiting the roundabout illegally into oncoming traffic. 鈥淟ocal businesses remain open around our closure area. Please follow the local signed diversion to access Dalscone Farm and Heathhall Garden Centre.鈥 The roadworks were initially to allow 鈥渦rgent repairs鈥 to be carried after a 鈥渞eported gas leak鈥 鈥 but a further problem has now emerged. The spokesman added: 鈥淭his is a complex repair in a challenging location. It will take some time to make the required repairs due to the size of the affected pipe, its depth and layout, and the pressure. 鈥淚n addition, it鈥檚 located close to a previously discarded asbestos pipe which needs to be safely removed by a third party, before our engineers can access, excavate and repair our leaking main.鈥 The work is expected to last at least another fortnight 鈥減ending further investigations to confirm no other sources of leakage鈥. Motorists trying to head north on the A701 should take a detour via the A75, A709, B7076 and A701. Southbound traffic should take the detour in reverse. Click here for more news and sport from Dumfries and Galloway. A diversion for access to Heathhall and Locharbriggs is in place but is not suitable for HGVs. The work is the second major disruption in the Heathhall and Locharbriggs area this year. In January, Amey started drainage work on the nearby Tinwalds Downs Roundabout, which took until late April to be complete.