DRIVERS will face six months of delays in the summer of 2024 as work begins to repair retaining walls alongside the A36 on the border of Wiltshire.

The repairs between Bathampton and Brassknocker Hill at Dundas are part of a £103 million package of works announced by National Highways to improve roads across the South West of England.

A National Highways spokesperson said: “We are still in scheme design so some bits might change.

“It’s due to start in summer 2024 and should take around six months to complete. It will be seven walls between just south of Bathampton and Brassknocker Hill.”

Costing roughly £3 million, the repairs will be done under traffic signals with some overnight closures, the government-owned company said.

The works are among 75 schemes across 794 miles (1,278km) of roads in the South West being improved at a cost of £103m.

National Highways says they will help to create safer and smoother journeys for millions of road users on motorways and A roads across the region.

Roads Minister Richard Holden said: “Over the next year, the South West will see over £100 million for maintaining, repairing and improving its roads.

“This substantial investment will ensure communities from Cornwall to Wiltshire are better connected, as we grow the economy, and drivers enjoy safe and reliable journeys.”

Jason Hones, National Highways’ South West regional director, said: “It is vital that National Highways’ motorways and A roads are kept in good condition to make sure they remain safe, reliable and keep the South West moving.

“This investment will help us achieve the ambitious plans we have for our roads, the communities we serve and the environment."

The programme of renewals and improvements for 2023/2024 includes road resurfacing, bridge refurbishments, motorway safety barrier upgrades, bridge joint replacements, improved signage and drainage and renewal of traffic lights.

Among the schemes are refurbishing the decks of the M5 junction 15 and 16 bridges at the Almondsbury interchange near Bristol, and upgrading lighting to LED units along the M4 and M5, M49 and A303.

In addition to the renewal and maintenance investment, National Highways will spend around £5.5m on environmental and biodiversity projects and facilities for cyclists, horse riders and pedestrians.

Work in this area has already seen biodiversity benefits brought to roadside verges next to the M4 in Wiltshire and the A46 in Bath and North East Somerset, as well as the A35 in Dorset.