MONTHS of motoring misery are on the way for thousands of Hampshire commuters who use the busy A31 across the New Forest.

The Highways Agency has unveiled plans for major resurfacing of the worn out westbound carriageway from Stoney Cross to Picket Post, which will involve contraflows and lane closures.

The A31 is Hampshire's busiest non-motorway trunk road and its two carriageways carry a total of 58,000 vehicles daily, which includes heavy commuter, commercial and tourist traffic.

A spokesman for the Highways Agency said the work is likely to start next month and last for three months, although the order made by Environment Secretary John Prescott is for an 18-month period starting on August 28 to cover all eventualities. He added: "It is a major maintenance contract for the reconstruction of the carriageway and every effort will be made to minimise disruption. It has also been timed to avoid the busy holiday period.''

And during the work, the police are set to be using digital speed cameras to make sure that drivers observe the temporary 50 miles per hour speed limit.

"It is not just a question of observing a speed limit. It is also a question of enforcing the safety of the workers who are there all day carrying out the repairs to the road,'' said New Forest traffic management officer Pc Chalkie White.

Previous major works on the A31 have have included resurfacing and the construction of the Picket Post interchange and have produced heavy crops of speeding tickets for motorists who have ignored the reduced limit.

An AA spokesperson said contraflows were the most effective way of dealing with major road works, but warned: "You do have more chance of an accident at the site of road works.

"It is very important that there are speed limits and that these are adhered to.

"People who exceed those limits not only risk injury, but they also risk a fine.''

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.