improvements to the A23 in Sussex that have cost millions of pounds will be officially unveiled next week.

Drivers have experienced two years of delays between Handcross and Warninglid as Highways Agency engineers widen the road in both directions.

A third lane has been added to both sides of the two-and-a-half-mile stretch of road in a bid to make journeys quicker and safer.

The stretch of road has been a notorious accident blackspot, partly caused by drivers faced with a sudden change from three lanes to a narrow dual carriageway.

The A23 is a vital transport link between London and the South Coast and is also expected to help improve access to Gatwick from the south.

The scheme, which cost almost £80 million, was part of a major government investment of roads in the South East.

Work started in summer 2012 and speed restrictions were imposed, leading to tailbacks at busy times for the up to 70,000 vehicles which use it every day.

The Argus revealed last November that more than 11,000 drivers were caught speeding along the restricted 40mph section of the road during the first year of the roadworks, netting the Treasury more than £500,000.

The road will officially fully reopen to traffic on Tuesday morning.

Highways Agency project manager Chris Bacon said: “Improving the A23 has been an enormous task.

“The project team has worked tirelessly to deliver these vital improvements in a way that kept traffic moving throughout, with a strong safety record – and at 20% less cost than the original estimate for the project.

“There is still some resurfacing to be completed and this will be carried out overnight to allow drivers to enjoy the additional capacity during the day.”

Once the third lane has opened, work to resurface the A23 either side of the improved sections will continue until November, using overnight carriageway closures.

The work will be carried out between 8pm and 6am and diversions will be in place via the A264, A24 and A272.

More details at www.highways. gov.uk/roads/road-projects/A23.