PARTS of the A449 between Hartlebury and Worcester will be affected over the next fortnight as an essential programme of surface dressing gets under way tonight.

Motorists are being thanked in advance by Worcestershire Highways for their patience as, weather permitting, the work starts this evening (Monday, July 6).

While the surface dressing takes place overnight there will be one lane coned off at a time and a convoy system in operation to slow down traffic for the safety of the workforce.

After each stretch has been surface dressed lane closures will remain for three to four days to enable gulley cleaning, line painting and associated works to take place.

Councillor John Smith, Worcestershire County Council cabinet member for highways, said: “The surface dressing will affect stretches of the A449 between junction six of the M5 and the Black Bridge turning at Hartlebury and follows on from the patching and resurfacing carried out in February in preparation.

“The work involves ‘double dressing’ of the surface and this method of maintenance can extend a road’s life by up to ten years, avoiding the need for more extensive and expensive repairs.

“The surface dressing itself is being carried out at night and in sections to minimise disruption to traffic and we would ask drivers to respect the temporary 20mph limit after the work has been carried out.

“While we recognise that roadworks can be frustrating, we would like to thank motorists in advance for their patience. There is never an ideal time to carry out work like this on such a key route but it is essential that we get it completed to improve things for everyone using the road in the long run.”