MOTORISTS are being warned to expect delays as major refurbishment work on a bridge starts today.

The work is being carried out on the bridge which carries the A181 over the A19 at the Wellfield Interchange, near Wingate, Peterlee, and is expected to last for about 11 weeks.

Two lanes of through traffic will be maintained on the A19 at all times, but traffic management and temporary traffic signals will cause some delays on the A181.

Keith Polson, general manager for Autolink, said: "This is a major scheme which will involve repairs to the concrete on the bridge, as well as to the bridge joints.

"The nature of the work is such that it has to be carried out throughout the day and this may well lead to delays on the A181, especially during the afternoon peak period.

"The interchange is one which serves the Peterlee Industrial Estates and we expect the most severe delays to be when the factories close for the day and the employees all leave at once.

"We expect that despite having to use temporary vertical concrete barriers to protect the contractors working under the A19, there should be little or no delay to through traffic on the trunk road.

"We would, however, ask people, especially those who use the A181 itself, to either try to find an alternative route while the works are on, or to try to delay their journey if this is possible."