The Highways Agency is spending �2.9m to strengthen the embankment on the A303 at Marsh.

Project manager Phil Hardy Bishop said: "The road runs alongside a steep slope and our survey shows it needs to be stabilised to prevent it sliding."

Traffic will be diverted around the works, which are scheduled to be completed by 16 December.

"Carrying out the work now will prevent problems in the future," added Mr Bishop.

"The stabilising will be carried out by sinking concrete piles into the side of the road to shore it up, with the road itself used as a platform for the piling operation."