The bypass will take traffic away from the village of Lamberhurst

The Lamberhurst bypass was due to open in the autumn but bad weather and problems cutting through soil have delayed completion until this year.

Final works at the junction of the A21 and the A262 begin on Wednesday and are due to take two weeks.

The new road, which has been planned for more than 20 years, is still due to open during March, according to the Highways Agency.

'Apologise for delays'

The bypass is part of the lengthy plans to improve the A21 between Pembury and Hastings and work began on the �12m scheme in June 2003.

The work, which starts on Wednesday, consists of carriageway reconstruction and drainage works north of Lamberhurst.

Traffic will only be able to pass along the road in one direction at a time and will be controlled by temporary traffic lights.

Highways Agency project manager Graham Link said: "We will do the work as quickly as possible but I apologise in advance for any delays and inconvenience to motorists."