WORK is about to begin on a £2.5m reconstruction project on the A51 linking Chester and Tarvin.

Three miles of the road between the A51/A55 Littleton Interchange and the A51/A54 Tarvin roundabout is to undergo urgent maintenance work starting on Tuesday.

Cheshire County Council has set up a timetable so that the majority of the scheme will be finished in 13 weeks, instead of the normal six months usually associated with this volume of work.

Work will take place 24-hours a day, seven-days a week. Noise levels will be monitored between 10pm and 7am to avoid undue disturbance to residents.

The county council took over responsibility for the A51 from the Highways Agency in 2001.

'We apologise in advance of the road-works, because there will be delays, but it is absolutely essential that this scheme takes place,' said environment executive member Andrew Needham. 'Certainly, the Highways Agency was also preparing for this work to be done before we took over responsibility for the A51 and it has taken some time to finalise the plan, programme the work to minimise traffic delays as best as possible, consult residents and secure the necessary funds.

'Its root cause is wear from traffic on this busy road and ageing of the road's construction.

'Our engineers have consulted widely with the local community and have taken on board their suggestion to schedule the main construction phase with the school holidays, when traffic is lighter.

'Roadworks will be removed in time for the beginning of the new school year and any remaining work will be completed at night.' Day time two-way traffic will continue during Phase One - the first seven weeks - which will be finished in time for the summer holiday. Work will concentrate on kerbing, footways and verges, a speed limit will be set at 30mph and contractor RMC Surfacing Limited will be in charge of peak-time control of all A51 right-turn lanes.

Occasional weekend overnight closures of individual A51 side-road junctions may take place and alternative access will be provided for vehicles.

During Phase Two, which will involve the major reconstruction work, traffic travelling into Chester will continue to use the A51. But drivers in the opposite direction will follow diverted routes via signed 'A' roads and motorways.

Temporary traffic lights may be used overnight. Access to all homes and businesses will be maintained throughout.