WORK has begun on a £300,000 scheme to resurface parts of a busy road which connects the region with the North West.

The Highways Agency is carrying out roadworks along a 1.5mile section of the westbound carriageway A66 near Brough, Cumbria, until the end of March.

All the work will be taking place between 8pm and 6am each night to minimise inconvenience to road users and most of it will be taking place using lane closures with a 40mph speed limit.

However, this week there will be full overnight closures of the westbound carriageway at the junction with the A685 for Kirkby Stephen.

Highways Agency project sponsor Peter Gee said: "This work will provide safer and smoother journeys for users of the A66 in this part of Cumbria who will benefit from improved road markings as well as a smoother road surface.

"Most of the work will be done using overnight lane closures but there may be slight delays this week as drivers will need to leave and rejoin the A66 using the junction with the A685."