MOTORISTS in Chester-le-Street face disruption while sections of the road are resurfaced next week.

The first stage, from Wednesday to Friday ( April 15 to 17), will entail three overnight closures southbound between Junction 63 of the A1(M) and the Ropery Lane roundabout from 7pm until 6am.

Traffic will be diverted via the A693 Chester-le-Street to Stanley, the A6076 Stanley to Lanchester and the A691 Lanchester to Durham.

Traffic that would normally exit the A1(M) at junction 63 for the A167 southbound will continue south on the A1(M) to Junction 62 at Carrville before taking the A690

and joining the A167 at Durham.

Further resurfacing will take place from 7pm until 6am on April 22, 23 and 24, when the road will be closed northbound between the Ropery Lane roundabout and Junction 63.

There will be no access to or from the B6313 Picktree Lane or the B6290 Park Road North.

Traffic will be diverted via the A691 Durham to Lanchester, the A6076 Lanchester to Stanley and the A693 Stanley to Chester-le-Street.

Meanwhile, the B6290 Park Road North, will be closed between 7am and 7pm on Sunday, April 26, for resurfacing.

Traffic will be diverted from the A167 Picktree roundabout to Junction 63 and onto the A183 Blind Lane westbound through to the Northlands roundabout.

Brian Buckley, strategic highways manager for Durham County Council, said the council was minimising disruption by working at night.