Work on A55/A483 junction between Wrexham and Chester

The A483 is one of the major routes between north Wales and north west England

Work will start next month on a £5.3m scheme to tackle a traffic bottleneck between Wrexham and Chester.

Improvements to the A55/A483 roundabout will help support the nearby Chester Business Park and housing development.

The UK Highways Agency confirmed work would begin on 15 September and was due to finish by the end of March.

Quicker and safer journeys are promised, but Wrexham MP Ian Lucas urged the authorities to keep residents informed and disruption to a minimum.

Highways Agency director for the north west Alan Shepherd said: "This important project will make the junction safer for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists and improve journey times - helping to unlock the potential for new jobs and new homes on both sides of the border."

Improvements to the junction and its approaches include:

• Traffic signals to replace the Pulford Roundabout on the A483/B5445 junction south of the A55 roundabout

• Traffic signals to be installed at the Rough Hill junction of the A483, with a new right turn facility from the southbound A483

• A bridge for pedestrians and cyclists across the A483 at the A55 roundabout

• CCTV cameras to be installed at the roundabout

The first phase of the work involves nightly closures of the A483 south of the roundabout in both directions with clearly-signed diversions in place.

The Highways Agency said more information and updates would be given on a dedicated webpage.

Mr Lucas recently said he was seeking a meeting with the agency, claiming local residents had already suffered delays during preliminary work in early August.

"I think any fair minded person would expect some delays as work is carried out, but what is crucial is ensuring motorists know what to expect and are given information with enough time to help them to plan," he said.