PEOPLE living near one of Hampshire’s biggest industrial sites are being warned to expect up to seven weeks of extra noise and additional traffic.

Major maintenance work at Fawley refinery is due to start early next month and is likely to continue until the end of March.

Parts of the 3,250-acre complex will be shut down to enable the project to be carried out.

But the multi-million-pound scheme will involve round-the-clock working, which could upset people living in the neighbouring villages of Fawley, Holbury and Blackfield.

Owned by ExxonMobil the 65-year-old refinery produces 270,000 barrels of crude oil a day and is the largest in the UK.

An ExxonMobil spokesman said: “Some of Fawley’s processing units will be shut down, beginning on February 5, as part of scheduled maintenance activity.

“Parts of the programme will necessitate 24-hour working. In addition there may be a temporary increase in traffic around the Fawley site.

“During the work there may be occasions that the background noise may change and be different from historical norms.”

The spokesman said ExxonMobil would monitor the noise and take steps to minimise it “as far as possible”.

He added that the project could also result in extra flaring, described as a safe and environmentally-approved way of burning off excess gas.

It is not known if production at the huge petro-chemical complex will be affected by the project.

No further information is being given out at this stage but the company is vowing to release more details once the work is under way.

Fawley resident Mike Cooper said: “The scheme is going to involve a 45-day shutdown, one of the longest they’ve ever had.

“Miles of scaffolding have gone up over the past two months in preparation for the work and loads of contractors are being brought in do the job.

“I don’t like the prospect of 24-hour working, especially if it results in a lot of noise at night.

“We’ve already had to put up with a whining, whistling sound. I hope that’s not to continue for much longer, although to be fair we haven’t heard it for a few days.”

The Fawley spokesman said the refinery would be taking “all practical measures” to limit any inconvenience to people living in the area.

He added that anyone with questions or concerns could call ExxonMobil on its 24-hour number, 023 8089 2511.