Major route into Shropshire will be closed at night for roadworks
One of the major routes into Shropshire will be closed to traffic overnight for a week when roadworks get under way.
The A49 into the south of the county will undergo major resurfacing from October 20. The works will be carried out around the Leominster area on the road between Ludlow and Hereford.
Leominster Mayor, Brigadier Peter Jones said the night-time closure was a "sensible" way to carry out the work, adding: "I don't like it, but these things have to be done."
The Highways Agency will be resurfacing the three-quarter-mile stretch of the Leominster bypass to repair the damaged surface in both directions from the town, from the OK Diner roundabout that links with Ludlow Road and Mill Street to the north of the town, to the Worcester Road roundabout that links with the A44 to the south.
The road will be closed between 8pm and 6am in both directions each night while the work is carried out to replace the surface.
The week-long scheme was previously scheduled to begin on October 13 but was then put back a week.
The work also includes replacement road markings and anti-skid surfacing to improve road safety.
Highways Agency project sponsor Purnima Kaul said: "These essential works will see a new and much-improved surface on this stretch of road.
"Road users are advised to allow extra time for their journeys during the night works."
Brigadier Jones said: "It seems a totally sensible time to do it, I personally have no problem with it. I don't like it, but these things have to be done."
During the closures, southbound traffic will be diverted through Leominster via the A44 on to Mill Street, Broad Street, New Street and Cursneh Road, before continuing on to Dishley Street, Westbury Street, South Street, Hereford Road and Southern Avenue, before linking back on to the A49. Northbound traffic will follow the same route in reverse.
It comes as major roadworks continue on some of the busiest routes in Shropshire. Work is taking place at the Emstrey and Preston islands on the A5 on the outskirts of Shrewsbury as part of a £3.8 million project to improve the two roundabouts.
