DRIVERS are being warned to expect disruption as maintenance work is carried out on one of the busiest roads in East Renfrewshire.

Diversions will be in place while "essential" improvements are made to the southbound stretch of the M77 from Monday, January 17, until Sunday, January 23.

The £200,000 project will take place at Junction 4, in the Newton Mearns area, between 8pm and 6am each night.

Work will be carried out by infrastructure support service provider Amey, on behalf of Transport Scotland.

More than 25,000 vehicles use this route on the average day, with Amey stressing that improving the condition of the carriageway will reduce the need for more extensive maintenance in the future.

From January 17 to January 22, between 8pm and 6am, there will be full closures of the M77 southbound between Junction 4 and Junction 5.

Diverted traffic travelling southbound will leave the M77 at the Junction 4 off-slip and join the B7087. Traffic will then take the third exit at the second roundabout and follow the B769 Stewarton Road south.

At Westacres Roundabout, motorists should take the first exit and follow Barrhead Road to the A77 Junction, where they will turn right and follow Ayr Road towards Junction 5.

At this stage, traffic will rejoin the M77 southbound.

On January 21, there will be a delayed start, with traffic management in operation from 9pm.

From January 18 to January 20, between 8pm and 6am, there will be full closure of the Junction 3 on-slip so work to remove vegetation can be carried out.

Traffic on the A727/A726 intending to get onto the M77 southbound at the Junction 3 on-slip will follow the A727 Nitshill Road, Spiersbridge and Rouken Glen Road heading east.

At the roundabout, motorists will take the third exit and follow the A77 Ayr Road towards Junction 5, where they will rejoin the M77 southbound.

On January 18, from 6am until 4pm, there will also be daytime lane closures of the M77 main carriageway at Junction 4.

A spokesperson for Amey said: "It is anticipated all works will be completed by 6am on January 23.

"Access for emergency service vehicles will be maintained throughout.

"Please note that all schemes are weather dependent and may be cancelled or rescheduled if weather conditions are not favourable."

For more information, visit www.trafficscotland.org.