THE A31 is to be hit by three months of lane closures west of the Coxbridge roundabout shortly as work gets under way to replace a problem water main.

Motorists are being asked to plan ahead while South East Water replaces the water main that has burst 10 times in eight years.

The water company is investing £200,000 on the project which will see 349 metres of new water main laid across the A31 between Chamber Lane and Runwick Lane.

This work will begin on Tuesday, August 29, and is expected to be complete within 11 weeks.

During the scheme, which will prevent emergency roadworks and water supply interruptions, alternating temporary lane closures will be in place on both sides of the A31 westbound carriageway.

Jeremy Dufour, project manager at South East Water said: “It is unacceptable to us that local residents go without water when this pipe bursts which is why we plan to upgrade this section of water main.

“We have been working closely with the highways authority and, in order to keep motorists and our workforce safe during the project, we will need to have lane closures in place.

“I would like to apologise for the disruption this work may cause but hope motorists and the local community understand the long term benefits this scheme will deliver.”

The scheme forms part of the company’s £424 million investment programme taking place between 2015 and 2020.

For more information, www.southeastwater.co.uk/a31.