Works to improve the A303 River Avon bridge will begin next week.

Carrying the A303 over the river to the east of Countess roundabout, the bridge is in need of maintenance including concrete repairs, replacing the bridge bearings and joints and new surfacing and lining.

Works to improve it will start on Monday October 19.

Highways England says everything possible has been done to keep disruption to a minimum and most of the work will be carried out under lane closures.

Full closures of both carriageways will be required for bearing and joint replacement and the work will be undertaken overnight when traffic flows are at their lowest. All works should be completed by March 2021.

Traffic management includes:

• Eastbound – Lane one will be closed 24/7 for the duration of the works back to the single carriageway section, but will be re-opened for the Christmas getaway period.

• Westbound – Lane one will be closed overnight Monday to Friday from 8pm in the evening to 6am the following morning; October 20 to November 27 2020.

Full overnight road closures will be in place between 8pm and 6am for one night during January 2021 and for seven nights in March 2021. During the closures signed diversion routes will be in place.