WORK on a new road that should improve bus links to and from Whiteley is to get under way from Monday.

The road, which will link to Yew Tree Drive, will be built off the A3051 Botley Road and is being constructed by developers Persimmon Homes with the help of a £250,000 contribution from Hampshire County Council.

The road will only be accessible for buses and emergency services and will be controlled by electronic rising bollards that will only let approved vehicles through.

CCTV cameras will also monitor the route to ensure unauthorised vehicles do not go down it, though it will be open to pedestrians and cyclists.

During the ten-week build, starting on Monday, temporary traffic lights will be installed on the A3051 while a new roundabout will also be built at Swanwick from which the link road will turn off.

Hampshire County Council environment spokesman Councillor Mel Kendal, said: "We're sorry for any inconvenience caused during the course of these works, but these measures are absolutely necessary to safeguard the workforce and provide safer travelling for the public.

"The new bus link will help improve public transport access to Whiteley and I hope that local businesses in the area will continue to work with the council to introduce measures that give employees improved options of how they travel to work, including allowing work buses to use the new link road to avoid the busy M27 junction nine traffic."