A MAJOR Worcester road junction is undergoing a three-month overhaul to ease congestion and make it more shopper-friendly.

Worcestershire County Council is revamping Trinity Gate – the point where Sansome Street, Lowesmoor, St Nicholas Street and City Walls Road meet.

The old traffic lights will be replaced with modern ones better able to respond to oncoming cars, while a series of dropped kerbs will be placed around the junction to help pedestrians to cross.

There will also be improvements to the traffic islands along the route.

Part of the reason for the work is the £75million transformation of Lowesmoor thanks to the new Asda superstore and St Martin’s Quarter.

The Trinity Gate project, which started this week, will carry on until Easter. Drivers are being warned of potential delays until then, with short periods of lane and road closures.

Councillor Simon Geraghty, the county council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for the economy and infrastructure, said: “This is an important junction in Worcester city centre.

“Improvements here are necessary to improve access between the city, Lowesmoor and the St Martin’s Quarter boosting economic activity and improving traffic flow.

“As with any major highways scheme, while delays are likely when works are taking place, users will benefit from real improvements once the enhancements are completed by Easter.”

At a later date council chiefs say Trinity Gate will be resurfaced, although this work does not form part of the upgrade at this stage.

The work is part of the Worcester Transport Strategy which the Department for Transport is already backing with more than £14m.

The county council has also put just over £5m into the strategy, which includes road and footpath upgrades all over the city.

Ringway, which is carrying out the work on behalf of County Hall, has placed a temporary office in the car park between Silver Street and the City Walls Road.

If drivers want to know about any delays at Trinity Gate before they plan their journey, they can call a dedicated phone number on 01905 761176.