Traffic will be re-routed through Marlborough during overnight resurfacing work on the M4.

The Highways Agency hopes the road improvements will give drivers a smoother ride but the work means closing a key section of the road.

At the moment only lane and slip road closures are in place but from Sunday the road will be closed eastbound for a week between junctions 14 and 15 between 10pm and 6am.

Drivers heading east of Swindon will be diverted down the A346 into Marlborough, along the A4 and then up the A338 to Eddington to reach junction 14.

Wiltshire and town councillor Stewart Dobson said: “The traffic has to go somewhere and the obvious route is the A4 but the work is taking place between 10pm and 6am so hopefully it shouldn’t cause too much inconvenience to the people of Marlborough.”

The Highways Agency says the £700,000 works will increase the longevity of the road while improving safety for drivers.

Guy Watts, Highways Agency project sponsor, said: “The work on the M4 will involve the complete resurfacing of the road with new material and recycling the old surface.

“This will help to maintain safety and provide drivers with an improved road surface.

“We have planned the work so that disruption for drivers is minimised as much as possible.”

Once this section is completed, work will take place further along the M4, at junctions 10, 11 and 12 throughout May and into June.