A MAJOR road in Hereford will be closed overnight later this month for roadworks to make it safer.

National Highways, which manages the A49 through Herefordshire, will shut the trunk road overnight from Monday, June 20 to Thursday, June 30.

The work will be done in stages overnight by contractor Kier in two stages, National Highways said.

It will take place overnight when traffic counts are lower, it said, and will affect eight days later in June.

When and where will the road be closed?

From Monday, June 20 to Thursday, June 23, the A49 will be closed overnight from Grafton roundabout (A49/B4399) and the A49 Asda roundabout (A49/A465), including teh Road Road junction with the Holme Lacy Road and Walnut Tree Avenue, between 11pm and 4am.

During these closures, Hunton Road will be open which will allow local traffic to navigate around the closure.

Then from Monday, June 27 to Thursday, June 30, the A49 will be closed overnight at the same points from 8pm and 6am.

But during this stage of works, the Road Road junction will be open with access from Holme Lacy Road and Walnut Tree avenue to enable local traffic to navigate around the closure.

Access to frontages will be maintained up to Mayberry Avenue, whereas residents north of that will only have access via an escort.

Emergency vehicles will have access at all times.

What has National Highways said?

National Highways said the work was needed as the road condition has deteriorated.

Work will include laying a material to increase the road's surface friction, also known as high friction surfacing.

Road markings and studs will also be replaced, and the road will be safer afterwards, it said.

Project manager Saima Khan said: "I'd like to apologise for any inconvenience or disruption to those living close to the work.

"Please note, our planned work may be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances."

Where will the diversion be?

During full road closures, there will be fully-signed diversions, which will also take through traffic from the Starting Gate roundabout to Ross-on-Wye via Ledbury and the M50.

Non-motorway traffic will head to Ledbury and then on the A449 to Ross-on-Wye.

A local diversion is also expected.