SOUTH Wiltshire is bracing itself for long traffic tailbacks, following an announcement by highway chiefs that they are to close the A303 near Amesbury this weekend.

The closure on the hectic holiday route has been ordered to enable the safe removal of a bridge over the road next to the Solstice business park development.

The eastbound carriageway of the trunk road will be closed from 8pm on Friday, June 25, to 3.30pm on Sunday. The westbound carriageway will be closed from 10pm on Friday to 6am on Monday.

Signed diversion routes will be used to direct traffic around the closure.

Eastbound traffic will be diverted from the A303 Countess roundabout up the A345 to the Beehive roundabout, near Salisbury, at the junction with the C56.

Traffic will then take the C56 to the A338 at Winterbourne Gunner, rejoining the A303 at Parkhouse roundabout.

A303 westbound traffic will be diverted to Salisbury via the A343 to Andover.

Traffic will then take the A36 and turn on to the A303 at the A303/A36 Wylye interchange.

Highways Agency project manager Ted Hart said: "The closure is needed so that we can demolish the bridge safely.

"The work is being done over a weekend to avoid affecting business traffic during the week.

"The bridge is made of concrete and steel and has to be broken up and cut into small pieces for removal from the site.

"This is a busy holiday route, so the closure will affect drivers travelling to holiday destinations in the southwest.

"Long-distance travellers are advised to use the M4 as an alternative route."