MOTORISTS face several months of disruption on a dual carriageway as work begins installing a roundabout.

The £1.5m project is designed to improve safety at the busy A167 junction with the B6312 road outside the Red Lion, at Plawsworth, between Durham and Chester-le-Street.

The six-month contract starts on Monday to improve one of the busiest stretches of road in the county.

The scheme, funded by the Highways Agency, will be carried out by Durham County Council and private sector companies, with Cumbrian Industrials Limited the main contractor.

Temporary traffic management will be put in placewhile the work is carried out. It will include lane closures, contraflow, closure of gaps in the central reservation and a 40mph speed limit between Pity Me and Hermitage roundabouts.

Chris Tunstall, the county council's environment and technical services director, apologised in advance for the anticipated delays.

"With a scheme of this size and duration, it is inevitable that motorists will face some delays," he said.

"We would urge drivers to build in extra time for their journey, or take an alternative route, if at all possible.

"Once complete, the roundabout will greatly improve safety at the junction and ease congestion at peak times.".

Bob Pendlebury, the county council cabinet member for environment, said steps have been taken to protect local wildlife.

"Advance work was done earlier this year which included removing trees and shrubs to prevent birds nesting in areas which will be affected by the work," he said.

The A167, one of the main north-south routes in the county, carries 27,000 vehicles a day, with an estimated 5,900 vehicles using the B6312 between Sacriston and the Red Lion junction.

While work takes place, pedestrian and cycling facilities will also be improved between Pity Me and Hermitage roundabouts.

Durham County Council took over responsibility for the A167 from the Highways Agency in April.