MAJOR roadworks on the A303 near Amesbury need redoing just four months after they were carried out.

The resurfacing work between Countess Roundabout and Cholderton was completed in March, costing £1.3million.

Now it needs to be re-done because the stone used was “contaminated with low quality materials”.

And the work will be done during one of the busiest times of the year, with holidaymakers heading to the West Country in their droves.

Former Mayor of Amesbury Andy Rhind-Tutt said: “We need reassurances this unbelievable mistake will not cost the taxpayer any money. There are many highways jobs in the south west and I hope they do not suffer as a result.

“Added to this, it will cause additional delays on one of the busiest roads in the country at this time of the year.

“I hope businesses are not affected and if they are I hope they make a claim off the contractor.”

Highways England project manager Paul Vosper said: “We sincerely apologise to our customers for the disruption these additional works will cause, but it’s vitally important the surfacing on this busy main route is replaced quickly to ensure safe and reliable journeys for many years to come.

“Leaving the surface in place for any longer than necessary could possibly lead to further unplanned problems in the future and further disruption.

“That is why we have acted quickly to rectify the situation and well ahead of the school summer holidays when traffic flows increase significantly.”

Mr Vosper said Highways England had consulted Wiltshire Council to ensure the work is completed “with the minimum of disruption”.

And he said the suppliers “recognise the issues and are working at their own expense to ensure the road is repaired and will provide trouble-free use for many years to come”.

The scheme will affect the east and westbound carriageway of the A303 for five miles and will be carried out overnight between 8pm and 6am.

Work is expected to last three weeks, starting on Tuesday, June 30, and continuing until Thursday, July 18.

Work will last from Tuesday to Friday in the first week, and Monday to Thursday in the remaining two weeks.

Workmen will fully close sections of the A303 to through traffic for safety reasons and fully-signed diversion routes will be in place.

For information on diversions visit Westbound traffic will be diverted via the A338, Portway and the A345. The eastbound route will take traffic via the A345 Salisbury Road, the A3028, Marlborough Road, Tidworth Road, Bulford Road and the A338 Salisbury Road.

In addition, diversion routes for local traffic travelling west will be via Solstice Park Avenue, London Road and the A345.

Eastbound local traffic will be diverted via the A345, London Road and Porton Road. Through traffic will be diverted via Salisbury Road, the A3028 and the A345 Countess Road.

Additional diversion routes for all through traffic will be in place between Andover and Wylye via the A343, A30 and A36 and also via the A338.