MAJOR improvements to a busy Hartlepool road will start next week.

Workmen will be on site on the A179 Powlett Road, between Easington Road and Marina Way from Monday (January 12).

Powlett Road will be kept open but the adjoining Milbank Road will be closed and disruption is likely.

The work, which is being carried out by Hartlepool Borough Council and will take about 20 weeks, will eventually improve traffic flow on the road.

It will involve widening the road to create an additional lane travelling west along Powlett Road as well as various other improvements such as repairs to large areas of the existing carriageway, upgrades to traffic signal systems, along with many benefits for pedestrians including traffic islands and improved crossing points.

The scheme is being funded via the Tees Valley Bus Network Improvements Project using money from the Department for Transport and the council’s local transport plan.

Steven Abbey, assistant engineer in the council’s highways section, said: “These important improvements are the last of what has been a successful programme over the last five years to improve the bus network and traffic flows across the town.

“We will do our very best to minimise disruption to drivers and pedestrians while the work is being carried out and we apologise for any inconvenience which may be caused.”