DRIVERS in Hartlepool are being warned that work starts shortly on a project to ease congestion and improve safety on a busy junction.

Work starts on Monday to remodel the junction of Hart Lane and Raby Road.

The scheme will take 11 weeks to complete, and drivers are being urged to avoid the junction if at all possible while the work is carried out because there will be delays.

Raby Road is one of the town's major roads and is a key route for buses.

However, serious hold-ups are being caused at the junction by northbound traffic wanting to turn right from Raby Road into Middleton Road or southbound vehicles waiting to turn right from Raby Road into Hart Lane.

To tackle these problems, Raby Road will be widened to create an extra lane for traffic waiting to turn right.

New footpaths and pedestrian railings will be put in place and the four pedestrian crossings around the junction will be improved by the addition of upgraded pedestrian crossing facilities. New cycle paths will also be created.

The scheme will not involve a ban on traffic turning right onto Raby Road from Hart Lane or Middleton Road.

Temporary traffic lights will be in operation while the work is under way, and there will be signposts to alternative routes.