Traffic will be diverted as a big road improvement scheme takes place on one of Gloucestershire's busiest routes.

The work on the main A4173 Gloucester to Stroud road starts next month and is part of the county's £150 million highways upgrade.

The section of road between Whaddon and the A46 will be resurfaced starting on Tuesday 10th April.

A council spokesperson said: "To improve the ongoing overall safety of this route, we will deliver a major improvement scheme to resurface 54,484 m² of the road. Crews will use 6,425 tonnes of long-wearing asphalt with high skid resistance and make improvements to signage and road lining as well as improve two existing mini-roundabouts in Brookthorpe.

"There will also be some final drainage work completed during this period.

"Work will take place from Tuesday 10th April to Wednesday 23rd May and a road closure will be in place between 7:30am to 5:30pm daily (excluding weekends).

"For the safety of road users and our workforce, the road will be closed to through traffic between Whaddon and the A46 for the duration of the scheme. Local access for residents and businesses will be managed at each end of the closure by crew members and local businesses will be open as usual.

"There will be no access for through traffic during our working hours and a signed diversion suitable for HGV's will be in place. The road closure will be lifted each evening at 5:30pm.

Cllr Vernon Smith, cabinet member for highways and flood, said: "This important scheme highlights our ongoing commitment to keep the county moving and these essential improvements will create a smooth and pothole free journey for all road users. I would like to reassure residents that we will keep disruption to a minimum and we'd like to thank them for bearing with us."

Cllr Keith Rippington, county councillor for Bisley and Painswick, said: "This is an important route connecting many communities between Stroud and Gloucester and the resurfacing will have a significant benefit to local residents. The carriageway has been slowly deteriorating so these vital improvements will help make the journey smoother for everyone."

Letters have been sent to residents along the route with details about local access arrangements. Crews will do their upmost to maintain access for local residents and businesses when it is safe to do so.

Advance warning signs are on display and a diversion will be fully signed when work starts. Pedestrian access will be maintained. All scheme information and updates on its progress can be found online at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/A4173.

To keep disruption to a minimum the council will be carrying out the works in six sections.