Engineers last night began work on an urgent £90,000 scheme to repair and improve the road surface and safety at a roundabout on the approaches to Ely.

Engineers last night began work on an urgent £90,000 scheme to repair and improve the road surface and safety at a roundabout on the approaches to Ely.

The start of this vital work was postponed a month ago due to bad weather.

The roundabout, where Witchford Road and the Ely bypass meets, is a major gateway into the historic city and sees thousands of motorists use it every day.

Due to the busy nature of the road engineers will be working during the night to keep disruption down to a minimum.

The scheme started last night, and work will take place between 7pm and 7am. It is anticipated that work will take six nights to complete.

To make sure the scheme is carried out as quickly as possible and to protect the safety of the public and workers a section of Witchford Road, Ely, will be closed from the junction of the A10 to Norfolk Road. The road will be reopened during the day.

The diversion route will be Witchford Road, Cambridge Road and the A10 bypass (and back up to Witchford Road.

The remaining traffic routes on the bypass will be controlled by temporary traffic signals during the works.

David Groom, divisional maintenance engineer for Cambridge-shire County Council, said: “The roundabout is very important to Ely and it is vital that the worn-out sections are resurfaced and improved urgently.

“The improvements should improve the surface and safety for the thousands of people who use it every day. We know this type of work causes disruption, which is why it has been programmed to be carried out through the night.

“We apologise for any delays we may cause and ask motorists to take extra care and leave plenty of time for their journey.”