A £225,000 scheme to improve safety and the road surface on a one-mile stretch of the busy road alongside the Sixteen Foot Drain near Stonea began on Wednesday. Work will be carried out to improve the road surface from the subway, under the railway line a

A £225,000 scheme to improve safety and the road surface on a one-mile stretch of the busy road alongside the Sixteen Foot Drain near Stonea began on Wednesday.

Work will be carried out to improve the road surface from the subway, under the railway line at Stonea to Boots Bridge.

Safety improvements, including anti-skid surfacing, will also be made at the Boots Bridge junction. The scheme is part of Cambridgeshire County Council's commitment to improving roads in rural areas.

For the first three days work will be carried out under two-way traffic lights. However, to protect the safety of the public and workers, the road will have to be closed for about four weeks.

Charlie Bedford, highways supervisor for the county council, said: "This scheme should see real improvements to the road surface and safety along this very busy stretch of road.

"Maintaining rural roads is a challenge as they are used by heavy vehicles and are often on unstable soil. However, we recognise the importance of these roads and keeping them maintained.

"We never take the decision to close a road lightly but in this case it is necessary to make sure the work can be completed as quickly and safely as possible. We apologise for any delays and ask motorists to leave plenty of time for their journeys."

The diversion route will be through Manea and Christchurch.

The diversion route for the works next to and over Boots Bridge will also include a road closure on Manea Road, Wimblington, and this section of road will be diverted along the A141 through Chatteris and Byall Fen, Manea.