A NINE-MILE stretch of the A36 has reopened this morning after a fallen tree blocked the road.

Contractors worked through the night to remove the blockage, which meant the busy road had to be closed off to traffic by Highways England between Brickworth and the Ower roundabout from just after 3pm yesterday afternoon.

A diversion route was put in place via the A27 and A3090.

Motorists were also hampered by planned drainage works on the route, which started at 8pm last night and ran until 6am this morning.