OVERNIGHT roadworks begin later this month to improve a section of the A1(M) in the North-East.

Closures will be in place on stretches of the Durham motorway and dual carriageway from junction 63, at Blind Lane, Chester-le-Street, to junction 65, at Birtley.

Highways England plan to resurface both carriageways and the hard shoulders between junctions 63 and 64, at Vigo, as well as replacing road markings, studs and traffic detection loops.

It will also present the opportunity to refresh road markings and studs between junctions 64 and 65.

Work is due to start on Monday July 26 and is expected to take up to 16 weeks.

Closures will be in place overnight only, from 8pm to 6am and will only be in one direction at a times, starting northbound, to minimise disruption.

Highways England Project Manager, Amjad Khan, said: “The work will provide safer, smoother journeys along one of our most heavily-used routes.

“The new surfacing will also reduce traffic noise for people living nearby.

“To carry out the work safely we need to use overnight closures with clearly signed diversions in place.

“We advise road users to plan their journeys in advance, allow extra time and familiarise themselves with the diversion route, if necessary.”

Further details are available via the Highways Agency’s North-East maintenance schemes section of its website. Users should select junctions 63 to 65.

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