EIGHT months of work has been planned for the centre of Salisbury as new lighting is fitted across the city next year.

Starting on February 3, Highways England teams will fit new environment-friendly streetlights along the A36, from St Paul's roundabout to Bourne roundabout.

Work will end in November and traffic disruption is expected. Full details on affected routes will be released in the new year.

Highways England says the new lights will brighten up journeys as well as improve safety.

As well as this, the LED system is predicted to cost 66 per cent less to run than the old lighting and the number of light columns and lights can be significantly reduced.

A spokesperson added: "After 44 years of service the current street lighting on the A36 at Salisbury is reaching the end of its working life.

"Advances in technology mean a new environmentally friendly system can now be installed which will reduce running and maintenance costs whilst at the same time reducing the number of lamps required and giving a more directed and improved light on the road.

"Existing lighting columns will be removed from the central reservation and new columns will be installed on footpaths. This will improve lighting for pedestrians and cyclists and make access for maintenance easier and safer. It will also mean maintenance activities will require less traffic management.

Highways England says a scheme to carry out repairs on Churchill Way railway bridge is being undertaken at the same time to ensure disruption on the this stretch of the A36 is kept to a minimum. Full traffic management details for both schemes will be announced in the New Year.

To find out more about both schemes, the public are invited to a presentation today at Salisbury Guildhall. It will run from 3pm to 8pm.