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Experts to clear landslide road Experts clearing landslide road
(about 5 hours later)
An operation is to begin to clear a major road closed by a landslide. Specialist tree removal contractors have begun work to clear a key road closed by a landslide.
Tree removal experts will start to shift a stack of fallen trunks from the A7 between Edinburgh and Carlisle. The A7 between Edinburgh and Carlisle was shut on Thursday after heavy rain caused it to partially cave in, sending tonnes of debris crashing down.
The road was shut on Thursday after heavy rain caused it to partially cave in, sending tonnes of debris crashing down.
Police have put a 60-mile diversion in place and the road, which has been closed five miles south of Langholm, may not reopen for "some weeks".Police have put a 60-mile diversion in place and the road, which has been closed five miles south of Langholm, may not reopen for "some weeks".
A crane will be moved in on Monday to remove the larger trees.
Bear Scotland, which manages the country's roads, have said 60m of the carriageway must be replaced but repair work can only begin after the trees are removed.Bear Scotland, which manages the country's roads, have said 60m of the carriageway must be replaced but repair work can only begin after the trees are removed.
Specialists will begin to lift smaller trees and this work will continue on Sunday. The contractors have been clearing away the smaller trees and this work will continue on Sunday.
A crane will be deployed on Monday to move the larger ones.
'Extremely awkward''Extremely awkward'
A company spokesman said: "The tree removal operation, which is necessary ahead of repair works, will take between a week and 10 days."A company spokesman said: "The tree removal operation, which is necessary ahead of repair works, will take between a week and 10 days."
John Murphy, Bear Scotland's director for the south east, said: "The location is extremely awkward due to the very steep slopes and the nearby River Esk.John Murphy, Bear Scotland's director for the south east, said: "The location is extremely awkward due to the very steep slopes and the nearby River Esk.
"However, we are working hard with Transport Scotland to develop a solution to the problem.""However, we are working hard with Transport Scotland to develop a solution to the problem."
It was too early to say how long the road would be closed, he added.It was too early to say how long the road would be closed, he added.
A Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary spokesman said: "It is thought the road will be shut for some weeks, rather than days."A Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary spokesman said: "It is thought the road will be shut for some weeks, rather than days."
Transport company First has temporarily suspended part of its bus routes between Edinburgh and Carlisle as a result of the road closure.Transport company First has temporarily suspended part of its bus routes between Edinburgh and Carlisle as a result of the road closure.
The company said buses on two services leaving the Scottish capital would end at Langholm and Hawick.The company said buses on two services leaving the Scottish capital would end at Langholm and Hawick.
A shuttle mini-bus service provided by Scottish Borders Council is then being used to transfer passengers between these two locations and Carlisle.A shuttle mini-bus service provided by Scottish Borders Council is then being used to transfer passengers between these two locations and Carlisle.