Motorists have been warned to brace themselves for another summer of discontent after yet another set of roadworks was given the all-clear to hit Winchester .

The Basingstoke-based Automobile Association and Hampshire's road bosses are urging drivers to plan ahead for what looks certain to be a silly season of hot tempers and red cones.

County council environment chief, Keith Estlin, this week approved six months of work to start in July on a major £475,000 improvement scheme around the railway station and at the busy City Road junction.

The go-ahead comes hot on the heels of approval for summer work on a number of other major routes into and around the city, including Stockbridge Road, Romsey Road, Bar End Road and Chesil Street.

AA spokeswoman, Rebecca Rees, said: "There's a lot of pain to be borne while it's happening. We urge motorists to take into account the roa works and allow extra time for their journies and we urge the contractors to get on and do the work in the time scale stipulated.

"Unfortunately, roadworks are a necessary evil. In the long run, this will mean better lives for the people of Winchester."

Roads bosses have vowed that the disruption will be kept to a minimum, but they admit that the work being done around the railway station will involve diversions.

Mr Estlin said: "Years of use have taken their toll on the road surface, which is badly scarred as a result of work by utilities companies and remedial 'patching' works.

"So we are also taking the opportunity to carry out significant repairs, as well as resurfacing the carriageway, to avoid further disruption at a later date.

"This scheme will inevitably cause disruption for those who travel in and out of the city, but by carrying out the bulk of the work during the school holidays, we hope to keep inconvenience to a minimum.

"It would be a sensible precaution, however, to allow extra time for your journey while the work is in progress."