A BUSY Eastleigh road is to close for a fortnight to allow for resurfacing work in preparation for winter.

Leigh Road is to be closed overnight for two weeks as part of Hampshire County Council’s Operation Resilience resurfacing programme.

The work comes as the council attempt to make Hampshire roads more suitable to withstand harsh weather and heavy traffic.

Wintry weather is one of the main cases of potholes, as ice and frost works on any cracks in roads

Resurfacing is to be done overnight from 8pm-6am to reduce disturbance to traffic and is due to be carried out in two phases between October 1-19.

The first closures will start from Oakmount Road before the entrance to the Police and Fire HQ to Passfield Avenue, westbound, on October 1-12.

While this part of the road is closed, people travelling southbound on the M3 for Eastleigh are advised to exit at Junction 12.

Alternatively, the diversion starts at Junction 14 of the M3, via A27 Bassett Green Road, Stoneham Way, A335 Wide Lane, A335 Southampton Road, Twyford Road, Allbrook Way, Winchester Road and Bournemouth Road.

The second closures will start at the zebra crossing near to Causton Gardens to just after the traffic lights by Chamberlayne Road on October 15-19.

While this part of the road is closed, traffic will be diverted along Woodside Avenue and Twyford Road.

Pedestrian access to properties will be available at all times.

Councillor Rob Humby, executive member for environment and transport at Hampshire County Council, said: “We apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause, and I would like to reassure people that we will do all we can to minimise disruption to local residents, businesses and those travelling through the area while we carry out the work.

“Our highways teams have already written to local people who live nearby, and are liaising with businesses in the area, working with them to limit any impact the works may have.”