Drivers face weeks of delays as Highways Agency engineers work on two major Sussex roads.

The A27 and A21 in East Sussex will both be affected.

Work on a new acceleration lane leading on to the westbound carriageway of the A27 by the Newmarket pub near Lewes starts today.

The new lane will provide motorists using the service station and local residents with safer access on to the dual carriageway.

During the improvement scheme, narrow lanes will be in place to minimise disruption.

Some overnight working will take place and lane closures will be kept to a minimum.

The work will be split into three phases. The first is alteration to a wall next to the A27 and start of works on the service road.

Second is the construction of the new lane and the final section involves finishing off work on the service road during daylight hours.

Project manager Ing Fisher said: "The works will benefit local people who need to use the busy A27 and those using the service stations.

"The acceleration lane will enhance safety for motorists joining the A27.

"New traffic-calming measures on the service road will also mean pedestrians will find it safer to cross the road and to reach public transport."

Resurfacing work on a 200m stretch of the A21 at Lamberhurst Quarter close to the Sussex/Kent boundary starts today and is due to finish on May 15.

During the work the A21 will be reduced to one lane and traffic signals will be used.

Agency route manager Colin MacArthur said: "I urge users of the A21 through Lamberhurst Quarter to be patient, leave extra time for their journeys or to find an alternative route.

"We recognise roadworks may frustrate motorists but it is essential they are carried out to extend the lifetime of the road."