NEW Year congestion is on its way to Wellow as highway bosses continue their efforts to fit more safety measures on to the accident-wracked A36 and carry out resurfacing at the same time. The trunk road linking Southampton with much of the West and Wales has already been the scene of considerable safety work including the installation of speed cameras and the accident rate has dropped dramatically.

But more work, originally scheduled for August, still has to be done and it is being linked with essential resurfacing work to avoid two separate spells of traffic disruption and congestion.

The Highways Agency has yet to confirm details of road closures and diversions, but a spokesperson at its Bristol offices said this week: "The Agency is gearing up to start work on January 2nd and is combining the safety measures with the resurfacing of the A36." Test Valley Borough Councillor John Lewis said he had been told by the Agency that notices would be issued shortly and that the work would mean a complete closure of the road.

It involves the resurfacing of the stretch between the Canada roundabout and the Whinwhistle junction and the installation of a controlled crossing at the Canada roundabout and the Shoe Inn pub.

He added: "I have been in touch with the Agency since the previously-promised start date of August, 2004 failed to materialise.

"It appears that the resurfacing of the eastern stretch was always within the programme and I suspect the view was taken, not unreasonably, that it would be more cost efficient to do these and the safety works at the same time.

"The police apparently believe that further speed-reducing measures will make enforcement that more effective and easier and, hopefully, this will encourage Wiltshire Police to take a more sympathetic view of the need to improve safety measures at the Landford end."

Romsey MP Sandra Gidley has also been in contact with the Highways Agency and said it was disappointing that the work had not been completed, as planned, by the end of this year. But she added: "It would have been stupid to disrupt traffic to put the safety measures in and then disrupt it again for the resurfacing.

"I have asked the Highways Agency to do all it can to minimise disruption to residents and businesses and I have asked for additional signing, with flashing lights, on the approach to the village from the west."