Motorists will face a diversion over two miles long during roadworks on a busy A-road.

West Sussex County Council said the northbound carriageway on the A285 Westhampnett Road in Chichester will be closed for up to eight weeks so the river wall can be replaced.

The council said the wall, which protects the road from the adjacent River Lavant, is in poor condition and will be replaced using environmentally friendly, soil-filled bags.

This will help protect the road from being eroded even more by the river.

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The work is set to begin on August 12 and could take up to two months.

The northbound lane will be closed between St James Road and Church Road during this time.

This means motorists heading northbound will have to follow a signed 2.3-mile diversion via the A259, A27 and A28.

While the works take place, northbound buses will be diverted with Stagecoach 500 buses travelling via St James Road and Compass Travel buses travelling via Swanfield Drive, Bradshaw Road and Barnfield Drive.

People living on Westhampnett Road will be able to access their properties and pedestrians can access the road on the south side.

People will still have access to St James Industrial Estate.

The council also said the closure and diversion will be lifted every Friday evening to Monday morning and will not take place during the Goodwood Revival weekend from September 5 until September 9. 

A West Sussex County Council spokesperson said: “These are essential works which will help protect a section of the A285 from erosion caused by the flow of the adjacent River Lavant.

"We apologise for the disruption they will cause and will do our very best to keep this to a minimum.

“Please allow extra time for your journeys, particularly at peak times.”

During this period of roadworks, the council contractors will also replace the obsolete pedestrian crossing lights on the road.

New LED technology will be used to improve the lights’ reliability, reduce the maintenance needed, and save on energy and running costs.

This will have no additional impact on the schedule of the roadworks or the closures in place.​