"Essential" resurfacing work began this week on a busy stretch of road in Potters Bar.

The improvements to the A111 Southgate Road will affect the section between the A1000 High Street junction to the junction 24 roundabout on the M25.

Street lighting and electrical installation along the route began on Monday, with some lanes closed at off peak times to facilitate the works.

The resurfacing is due to start on Monday, April 14, and will be carried out in seven phases over three weeks.

Mike Jarrett, Hertfordshire Highways district manager, said: "Southgate Road is in a poor state, so it is essential that we carry out this work to improve its condition, for the benefit of all road users.

"It is also an extremely busy part of the road network, which does mean that some disruption and inconvenience is unavoidable as it progresses.

"To try to keep this to a minimum, we have arranged to do all the resurfacing work at night, and our staff will, as ever, do all they can to accommodate the needs of local residents and businesses."

A spokesman for Hertfordshire county council said: "The noisiest operations will be carried out before midnight.

"Highways staff will do all they can to avoid inconvenience for residents, but unfortunately those who live within the areas being resurfaced will be temporarily unable to access their properties by car during working hours."

He added that bus services may be affected, and details of any changes will be posted at local bus stops For more information about the scheme, contact Hertfordshire Highways on 01438 737320.

List of the seven phase programme:

  • Phase 1 (April 14-21): the A111 Southgate Road will be closed from 8pm to 5am between the High Street and the M25 roundabout at junction 24. A signed diversion will be in place using the A111, A110 and A1000.
  • Phase 2 (April 22-24): the inner ring of the M25 (junction 24) roundabout will be closed from 10pm to 5am. There will be a 30mph speed limit during the work.
  • Phase 3 (April 25): the clockwise entry/exit slip-roads will be closed on the M25 roundabout on junction 24 and the outer ring of the roundabout will be closed from 11pm to 6am. A signed diversion for the M25 clockwise exit slip will be in place via junction 25. A111 Southgate Road will also be closed (11pm to 6am) with diversion route remaining the same as for Phase 1.
  • Phase 4 (April 28): the outer ring of the junction 24 roundabout will be closed from 10pm to 5am. There will be a 30mph speed limit in place during the work.
  • Phase 5 (April 29): the M25 junction 24 roundabout anti-clockwise exit-slip road and the A1005 Ridgeway will be closed, as will the outer ring of the junction 24 roundabout, from 10am to 5pm. The diversion route for the exit-slip will be via the M25 junction 23; the diversion route for the A1005 The Ridgeway will be via the A110 and A111.
  • Phase 6 (April 30): the junction 24 roundabout anti-clockwise entry-slip road and outer ring, and the A111 Stagg Hill will be closed from 10pm to 5am. Signed diversions will be in place for the anti-clockwise entry-slip (via junction 25) and for the A111 Stagg Hill (via the A1005, A110 and A111).
  • Phase 7 (May 1-12): the A111 Southgate Road will be closed from 8pm to 5am between the High Street and the M25 roundabout at junction 24. The diversion route will be the same as Phase 1.