Drivers face more motoring misery around Winchester when part of the A31 is reduced to one lane next week.

The lane reduction is to allow work by the Pentex Oil UK to start on an exploratory well at Matterley Farm.

It will be located beyond the U180 lane leading to Matterley Dairy and Turnpike Cottages, a mile east of the Percy Hobbs roundabout, opposite the Avington turning.

The nearside lane on the westbound carriageway will be shut from Tuesday until the second week in May, with all gaps east of the site access also closed.

A 50mph limit will be in force until the first week in June because of preparations for the Homelands music festival, the event itself and dismantling afterwards.

The alternative route while the work is going on will be via either the Percy Hobbs roundabout, or the Ladycroft roundabout at the west end of the Alresford bypass, depending on the direction of travel.

The latest announcement of roadworks follows news that work is also due to start on improvements to Chesil Street and Bar End, Winchester.

Commenting on the A31 works, HCC executive member for environment, Keith Estlin, said: "We need these traffic management measures for safety reasons when the stone is delivered for construction of the well site.

It's proposed to stockpile the stone so that deliveries will be over as short a period as possible to minimise inconvenience.

"There will inevitably be some delays on the road when the lane and gap closures are in operation, so I would advise drivers to leave extra time for their journeys where possible, particularly during peak hours."