DRIVERS have been warned to expect long-term disruption following the start of a £1m scheme to rebuild a crumbling Waterside road.

Contractors employed by Hampshire County Council have started a ten-week contract to repair part of Jacobs Gutter Lane, which links Totton and Marchwood.

The £448,000 refurbishment is part of a long-term project to rebuild the whole length of the road.

Plans to upgrade the carriageway were given the go-ahead last year amid concern over the impact of proposals to redevelop part of Marchwood Industrial Park.

A massive incinerator is due to be built on the site and plans have also been put forward for a gas-fired power station.

The two multi-million-pound schemes will increase the number of lorries going to and from the village.

Now Hanson Construction Projects has started to strengthen and widen Jacobs Gutter Lane between Bury Farm and its junction with the busy A326.

The road will be closed from 7pm until 6am between August 4 and 15 and between September 1 and 12.

Work on Phase Two of the scheme, from Bury Farm to Normandy Way, will be carried out after a gas main has been installed.

A county council spokesman said: "All sections of Jacobs Gutter Lane in poor condition will be repaired, and the whole length will be resurfaced. The county council has met with the police, Marchwood Parish Council, Totton and Eling Town Council and Totton Preservation Society to discuss the best way to handle the scheme.

"We agreed to carry out the bulk of the work during the summer holidays as well as doing some of the repairs at night."

Keith Estlin, the county council's executive member for environment, said: "The scheme is necessary to enable Jacobs Gutter Lane to withstand the rigours of increased traffic, particularly HGVs. As with all major schemes of this nature, disruption and delay will be inevitable.

"We will all be doing our best to minimise this, but it would be sensible for drivers to leave extra time for their journeys."