Bath & North East Somerset Council is advising motorists of traffic diversions starting in Keynsham from March 21 for an expected period of three weeks.

The diversions are to enable essential sewer works by developer Halsall for Alliance Homes' affordable housing development at Rock Road.

The works at the new Keyne Court are expected to take 21 days and had been delayed until after Keynsham High Street reopens on March 18, following completion of the public realm improvement scheme.

The High Street will be open to southbound traffic including two-way access for cyclists. Businesses and car parks will be open as usual.

The first phase of the works will be a full road closure of Rock Road and Ashton Way from March 21 for approximately 21 days. Access to properties and car parks in Ashton Way will be via Charlton Road.

Charlton Park will have a temporary one-way restriction in place to allow a bus diversion route. A small amount of parking suspensions will ensure buses can travel through safely.

Traffic heading towards Keynsham town centre from the Saltford direction on the A4 will be diverted along the Keynsham Bypass to Hicks Gate roundabout and back into the town via A4175 Durley Hill.

Traffic on Charlton Road heading towards Saltford that would normally use Ashton Way and Bath Hill to get to the A4 will turn left onto High Street before using the roundabout at St John's Church to do a U-turn. The current ban on right turns from Charlton Road into High Street will remain in place for safety reasons.

Once Ashton Way and Rock Road have reopened a second phase of works by Halsall to install balconies at Keyne Court is anticipated to begin on April 11 for approximately 17 days. This will involve a one-way system from the Rock Road and Ashton Way junction to West View Road.

More information on diversion routes, car parks and bus stop access during the works can be found at www.bathnes.gov.uk/ashtonwayclosure

Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for Transport, said: "Keyne Court is going to provide important affordable housing for residents in the heart of Keynsham. Halsall has assured us that they expect the first phase of these essential works towards completion of the project to take no more than three weeks. Thank you for your patience with traffic diversions while the works are carried out. You can keep an eye on our dedicated webpage for updates."