A 52-mile diversion planned for motorists while night-time work takes place on a short stretch of the A47 from Guyhirn to Wisbech is set to go ahead despite pleas by an MP to find a shorter alternative.

A Highways Agency spokesperson said that the A47 will be closed overnight at Guyhirn on Thursday 4 July to Friday 12 July to allow essential carriageway resurfacing work to take place safely.

Road users from King’s Lynn will be diverted via Downham Market, Nordelph, Littleport, Ely and back to the A47.

An alternative route to the north is through Spalding, Holbeach, Long Sutton and Leverington, which will add about an hour and a half to journey times.

A Highways spokesman said: “Although this is a lengthy route, it is considered the most suitable in terms of safety and minimising disruption for local communities for the kind of traffic which normally travels along the A47.

“The diversion has been agreed with the local authorities.”

Work will be carried out overnight between 8pm and 6am when traffic flows are lowest.

No work will take place on Saturday 6 or Sunday 7 July.

MP Steve Barclay lobbied Government Roads Minister Stephen Hammond to look at the “ridiculous” plan saying: “This kind of guidance completely overlooks the serious knock-on effect diversions can have on local businesses and services.

“They must change the suggested route before anyone has the misfortune to take this ridiculous detour.”

Local people will know of two alternative 10-mile diversions, through Wisbech St Mary or Friday Bridge.