Nearly £5 million worth of work on one of the main roads into Birmingham from the north is due to start in the New Year.

Two major improvement schemes, worth £4.8 million, will start on the A38 at Bassetts Pole Island and on the A38 from Hilliards Cross to Swinfen in the New Year.

Karen Green, Highways Agency project manager, said: "We have carefully planned these essential upgrades of the A38 to be carried out as efficiently and safely as possible. Although occasional closures will be necessary at both sites, these are being carried out overnight when traffic is flows are lower.

"Road users should allow extra time for their journeys."

The £3 million improvement at Bassetts Pole will start in January and last for six months. Work will include widening the roundabout to three lanes along with the approaches, installation of traffic signals to improve the flow around the island, plus resurfacing, and lighting and safety barrier improvements.

The agency added that there would be occasional overnight and weekend total closures of the roundabout.

Meanwhile, the £1.8 million resurfacing scheme on the southbound carriageway of the A38 from Hilliards Cross (south of Alrewas) to the Swinfen Island interchange will start on January 9 and last for six weeks.

Other work will include improvements to drainage, resurfacing, signing and lining, plus maintenance to structures along the route.

To minimise driver disruption, the work will be carried out overnight. There will be closures of southbound slip roads at Hilliards Cross, Streethay, Cappers Lane and Swinfen Interchange.