Motorists are expected to face delays this weekend due to a closure of a section of the A27.

Essential carriageway maintenance for safety and improved journeys is taking place from Friday, March 1, between the Ashcombe and Southerham roundabouts on the eastbound carriageway.

As well as repairs and improvements to the road surface, sensors will be replaced under the carriageway, road markings refreshed and waterproofing work carried out on the bridge.

The section of the A27 will be fully closed from 8pm on Friday to 6am on Monday, with a lane closed on the opposite carriageway for safety.

Subject to weather conditions, engineering work could be rescheduled to the weekend of March 22 to March 25.

National Highways has urged drivers to allow extra time for their journeys and follow the official diversion route in place via the A270, A23, A259 and A26.

Motorists wanting to join the westbound A27 at the Southerham roundabout from the A26 Cuilfail Tunnel should follow an eastbound diversion to the Beddingham roundabout and return.

A spokesman for National Highways said: “We’ve been carrying maintenance and repairs to the A27 near Lewes to maintain safety and improve the journey for road users.

“This is being carried out in phases and will start again on the evening of Friday, March 1, when we’ll return to finish our work on the eastbound carriageway between the Ashcombe and Southerham roundabouts, before moving to resurface between the Southerham and Beddingham roundabouts.

“To minimise disruption, we’ll work overnight between the hours of 8pm and 6am and at weekends when there are fewer vehicles on the road.

“While the road is closed, we will be carrying out a number of activities, including repairs, replacing the sensors under the carriageway, refreshing road markings, improving the road surface to reduce the risk of skidding and waterproofing on the bridge that passes over Southerham railway line.”