THE £4.5m refurbishment of a road bridge over the River Wear will start next week.

Contractors Mowlem will begin work on the Queen Alexandra Bridge, in Sunderland, on Tuesday.

The overhaul of the 96-year old bridge will involve stripping paint back to the metal, repairing and repainting the structure and replacing the road surface.

Sunderland City Council, which owns the Grade-II listed bridge, estimates it will be closed to northbound traffic for almost a year.

Phil Barrett, director of Sunderland City Council's development and regeneration directorate, said: "Working closely with Mowlem, we've planned these works carefully, including a start on Tuesday night so that drivers and other bridge users avoid disruption during the busy Easter bank holiday weekend."

During the work, southbound traffic will be restricted to cars and light vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes.

Cyclists will be directed by signs on to the bridge footway.

Work will start at 11.30pm on Tuesday and the bridge will be closed overnight in both directions until 5am.

Some further overnight closures will be planned between Sundays and Thursdays.