MOTORISTS travelling in and out of Hartlepool are being warned they could face delays.

Work is due to start on a section of the A689 between Sapper's Corner and Truro Drive today and is expected to last 12 weeks.

The scheme will include the construction of traffic lights and an access road to a 152-acre site, between the A689 and the British Steel South Works, which is to be turned into a business park.

General maintenance work is also planned.

There will be lane closures and contraflows for both carriageways and there will be restrictions on turning.

Ken Wake, Hartlepool Borough Council's design engineer said: "As this is such a big project it will, unfortunately cause disruption to the normal flow of traffic.

"We would like to apologise in advance for inconvenience suffered by road users but they should be assured that we will be doing everything we can to keep disruption to a minimum and complete the work as quickly as possible."