Bus passengers have been warned that services in the centre of the city will be diverted for more than a year due to road improvements.

From Monday, all bus services heading eastbound along Western Road, between Montpelier Road junction and Churchill Square, will be rerouted due to a road closure to allow the council to make improvements to infrastructure and road conditions.

The diversion will be in place for some 18 months while the work takes place.

Brighton and Hove Buses have warned customers that several routes will be affected by the improvement works, including the 1, 1A, 2, 5, 5A, 5B, 6, 21, 25, 46, 49, 60, as well as the N1 and N5.

Services from the Montpelier Road junction will instead turn left into Montpelier Road and proceed to the junction of Montpelier Terrace.

Buses will then turn right into Montpelier Terrace, continuing into Upper North Street until the junction of Regent Hill, before turning right into Regent Hill and resuming their normal route by Churchill Square.

Eastbound bus stops at Waitrose and Clarence Square will be closed during the improvement work, with the nearest alternatives at Montpelier Road, Norfolk Square and Churchill Square.

Westbound services will not be affected by the work.

Alex Chutter, operations director at Brighton and Hove Buses, said: “The diversions that will be in effect from Monday are necessary to maintain our service while the road improvements to Western Road take place.

“Once these works are completed, we will see improved journeys for routes that serve Western Road. We apologise for any inconvenience caused in the meantime.”

Brighton and Hove City Council said the changes will make the area more pleasant for shoppers, encourage more cycling and walking, improve air quality, and make it easier to travel through the city.

Improvement work will include road resurfacing, a simpler road layout with a central strip to help with pedestrian crossing, more cycle parking, seating and tree planting and a redesign of the junction with Dyke Road.

A council spokesman said: “We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience while we work to make the area a better place for residents, shoppers and visitors.”