The A4 will remain closed for a further eight weeks

The Highways Agency has begun a �1.3m maintenance scheme on the A4 between Bristol and Bath which has shut the route for nine weeks.

"After the first few days there was a noticeable increase in the amount of traffic queuing to come through," said spokesman Robin Miller.

The new barrier will be installed on Thursday near to the village shops.

Gatehouses were set up either end of the village at the beginning of the works earlier this month.

Local people with permits were allowed through, others claiming to be visiting shops were let in on trust.

"Traffic cheating the system to come through Saltford is putting the lives of men working near to the road in danger," said Mr Miller.

Unauthorised traffic causes the additional problem of drawing out the period of works by slowing it down, he said.

People with passes will be waved through the gatehouse but those claiming to be visiting businesses will be turned back.

"Virtually everyone visiting a business will have reached it by this point," said Robin Miller.

Westbound traffic is being taken off the A4 at the Globe Roundabout onto the A39, before rejoining the A37 north towards Bristol.

Eastbound traffic is diverted off at the Keynsham Roundabout via the A4174 (Avon Ring Road), east onto the A420 and south onto the A46 to rejoin the A4 east of Bath.