MOTORISTS face the closure of a section of a major dual carriageway in the North-East while important repairs are made to the road surface over the next fortnight.

Closures will be in place on the southbound stretch of the A19 west of Sunderland, with either diversions or speed restrictions put in place.

Resurfacing work is being carried out on the A19 from its junction with the A183 Chester Road, between Penshaw and Sunderland, southwards to the A690 Durham Road interchange, at the Herrington/Doxford Business Park roundabout.

Southbound traffic is expected to be affected until Sunday May 19.

During daytime hours a 50-miles per hour speed restriction will be in operation on that section, with motorists having to use a temporary road surface.

But, overnight closures will be required to speed up the work, with clearly signed diversion routes in place.

These closures are expected to take place each night until Sunday May 19, except on Saturday May 11.

Roadworks will be stepped up during these overnight closures, between 8pm and 6am

Similar resurfacing work has taken place on the entire stretch of the A19 northbound between the A690 Durham Road and the junction with the A1231 Washington Highway, and on part of the southbound section, since April.