MOTORISTS travelling along the A170 should brace themselves for roadworks from next week.

Contractors for Yorkshire Water will be carrying out repairs on mains pipes between Wilton and Ebberston and workers are expected to be in the area for the next 10 weeks.

Crews from Laing O'Rourke are expected to begin work on relining the old pipe, which has been prone to leaks over recent months. Two-way temporary traffic lights will be installed and delays are expected.

Project manager Carol Fairbrother said: "We've worked closely with the local authorities to try to keep disruption to a minimum - including suspending the work during the May Bank Holiday weekends - but we acknowledge there's not really a good time to dig up the roads.

"We're hoping local people will understand the work is essential if they're to continue to benefit from a clean, safe and reliable supply of drinking water, but some inconvenience is still inevitable, for which we'd like to apologise in advance."

Customers whose supply is likely to be interrupted by the work will be warned by card in advance but neither Yorkshire Water nor contractors Laing O'Rourke are expecting to need access to homes in the area.

Residents are warned to be on their guard if they are approached by strangers claiming they need to be allowed into their homes.

She added: "Genuine employees of both companies carry identity cards and won't mind waiting while their credentials are verified be relined by contractors working for Yorkshire Water."