Major resurfacing works on one of King's Lynn's busiest roads started this morning.

The work on London Road is needed because Norfolk County Council says the surface of the busy routes is literally wearing out.

Restrictions will include London Road being open only to traffic leaving town, while it and nearby St James Road are resurfaced between Sunday and Wednesday, April 18. The overall work in the area is set to cause disruption until April 28.

The start of the work comes after traders made a last ditch plea for Norfolk County Council to open the �1.5m bus lane at Harding's Way to smaller vehicles to reduce traffic congestion and the impact on businesses during these works.

But Norfolk County Council ruled out this option because officials were concerned a 'pinchpoint' would see large vehicles getting stuck.

It also comes after it was announced roadworks on the two busy roads will be banned for up to five years.

Speaking earlier this week, Graham Plant, county council cabinet member for planning and transportation, said: 'Once complete, King's Lynn will have a high-quality surface on a key route into the town. The old surface is wearing out, and if it is not replaced there will be an increasing risk of potholes and other problems.

'We can avoid that happening – and all the disruption of urgent roadworks – by this major resurfacing scheme, which represents an investment of �625,000 in King's Lynn's roads.

'Unfortunately, on a route of this importance, serious disruption is inevitable. The good news is that the county council is using its legal powers to prevent any further planned roadworks on the newly-surfaced road for the next five years.

'Barring emergencies, this will protect the new surface and ensure that motorists are not faced with such disruption for at least five years.'

During the works, thousands of vehicles which use London Road each day will instead use Vancouver Avenue, Tennyson Road, Gaywood Road, Littleport Street and Blackfriars Road.

Ward councillor Lesley Bambridge said: 'It will inconvenience for the short term but it has to be done, there are parts of London Road that are diabolical.'