MOTORISTS face weeks of delays as work begins on the Heyeswood Railway Bridge in Hartford.

Work starts on the bridge, which is in the A556, will begin on Monday, July 25.

In order for the repairs to be carried out, a traffic management contraflow will be set-up so one carriageway will be closed off.

The contraflow will then be switched, so that work can be carried out on the other carriageway.

There will a 30 mph speed limit in operation through the contraflow.

Cllr Brian Clarke, Cheshire West and Cheshire Council cabinet member for economic development and infrastructure, said: “The work has been scheduled to take place during the quieter school summer holiday period and to avoid clashing with the current housing site roadworks to the east of the bridge.

“The road surfacing on the bridge has started to deteriorate with rutting and potholes developing.

"This problem is a result of water being trapped on the bridge deck as the bridge joint detail has not been working effectively.

“I’d like to thank motorists for their patience while these repairs are carried out.”

The repairs will involve replacing the bridge joints, re-waterproofing the bridge deck, laying kerb drainage units across the bridge to improve water drainage, and resurfacing to remove potholes.

The adjacent picnic layby area and cafe will be closed when work is being carried out on the westbound carriageway.

The work is expected to take around five weeks.