IT has been regarded as one of the worst roads in the Borders by many motorists.

But the notorious B709 - between Traquair and the Yarrow Valley - is currently undergoing major overhaul as part of Scottish Borders Council £3.5 million post-flood repairs.

The six miles carriageway was badly damaged by the December and January storms.

Rutted and potholed surfaces had led to a stream of complaints from drivers who had endured punctures.

Workmen have been on site all week on the route and further repairs will be carried out over the weekend and into next week.

A spokesman for Scottish Borders Council told us: "The B709, south of Newhall Toll to Mountbenger Toll, was due to close during the day for up to two weeks from June 20 but the closure won't be needed next week.

"From Friday traffic lights will be used as the workmen complete the repairs.

"The works are being funded as part of the Bellwin Scheme."

All road, infrastructure and civil works repairs need to be completed by next Thursday to qualify for the Scottish Government's Bellwin Scheme funding.

And a further extension to the end of September has been allowed for bridge and riverbank repairs.

Due to the severity of Storms Desmond and Frank Scottish Borders Council were granted extensions to the normal two-months completion date for damage repairs.

If works are completed within time the bill for all of the 390 different local authority repairs, which is running at around £3.5million, will be met by Holyrood.

Donald Macdonald from Scottish Borders Council said: "The Council asked the Scottish Government for an extension to the Bellwin deadlines to allow completion of what has been a very extensive programme of post flooding remedial works.

"Good progress has been made on all general road, infrastructure and civil works repairs and these will be fully completed by June 30.

"An ongoing programme of bridge and riverbank repairs is underway involving staff from SBc Contracts,

Neighbourhood Roads and sub-contractors and it is anticipated these works will be completed by the September 30 deadline date."

During inspections Scottish Borders Council several permanent reinstatement projects, which don't qualify for Bellwin funding, have been identified.

But the central government Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland scheme is available to meet the £925,000 bill for two bridges near Hawick - Bowanhill Bridge and Newmill Footbridge - as well as embankment work on the Ettrick water near Selkirk.