DRIVERS face delays at a key York roundabout after highways chiefs today unveiled a £200,000 resurfacing scheme.

New road markings, road studs and ant-skid surfacing will be the result of the project at Hopgrove Roundabout on the junction of the A64 and A1237.

Temporary lane closures, a 30mph speed limit and some weekend daytime working will be among the restrictions drivers will face when the massive scheme starts on Monday.

Most of the work will be carried out overnight from 9pm to 6.30am to minimise delays. The Highways Agency today said it expected the resurfacing to be finished by April 29 - with no restrictions over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend.

But the agency also advised motorists to use alternative routes when the road teams were at work. The Highways Agency is the Government department which manages, maintains and improves the network of trunk roads and motorways in England.

David Phillips, the Highways Agency's project manager, said: "This work is part of our on-going maintenance programme and will ensure road conditions are as safe as possible for drivers at this busy junction.

"Delays are expected to be minimal, but drivers should take particular care as contractors will be working close to traffic."

The roundabout is one of the busiest around York and provides a key link with the east of the county and the route to Scarborough. It links the A64 with the York Outer Ring Road.

During the Easter Bank Holiday period, queuing cars packed the A64 as they rushed to take advantage of good weather and travel on trips to the coast on Good Friday.

Information about roadworks throughout the region is available from the Highways Agency information line on 08457 50 40 30 or from the Highways Agency website www.highways.gov.uk.

Updated: 09:58 Thursday, March 31, 2005