Drivers are facing six weeks of road closures as part of works to update old traffic lights at a busy Colchester junction.

Essex Highways is planning to renew the lights at the junction of Old Health Road, Bourne Road, Wimpole Road and Military Road.

Works are expected to get underway on Tuesday August 31 and will take about six weeks to complete.

Road closures will be needed overnight with a diversion route in place.

During the day temporary lights will be installed to keep the junction moving.

Read more >> More overnight closures planned at Ipswich Road in Colchester

Essex Highways says the new lights will be better for the environment.

A spokesman said: "We will be replacing the traffic signals at the junction before they become unreliable and fail to work properly and will be installing new extra low voltage equipment which will help reduce our carbon footprint.

"The pedestrian facilities will also be renewed.

"All works at the junction of Old Heath Road / Bourne Road / Wimpole Road / Military Road will be done at night under road closure.

"The reason for the closure is to reduce the time taken to complete the works and to keep congestion to a minimum.

"During non-working hours, traffic management restrictions will be lifted where possible to allow the temporary traffic signals to control traffic at the junction."

Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times and a temporary controlled crossing will be installed while the works are undertaken to ensure pedestrians can cross the junction safely.

Advance warning notices will be used to advertise the works and appropriate diversions in place during temporary road closures

Essex Highways said there may be some delays to the work if there is bad weather or any unexpected issues arise.

To view the diversion route or find out more about the works visit www.essexhighways.org/wimple-road-colchester-traffic-signals.