Roadworks expecting to last 18 weeks are coming to the Handy Cross area, starting on Friday – with motorists warned to brace themselves for inconvenience.

The works form part of the redevelopment of High Wycombe Sports Centre, and involve changes to the layout of the access road entrance.

Wycombe District Council says they will also involve creating an improved junction, upgrading traffic signals and forming pedestrian crossings to ensure safe and easy access to the future Handy Cross Hub - and they are expected to last until mid-July.

Cllr Tony Green, Wycombe District Council's cabinet member for economic development and regeneration, said: "Road works are never popular and we appreciate that anything affecting Marlow Hill has the potential to be an issue for local residents and motorists.

“But we have carefully considered the different ways of completing these junction improvements and have chosen the option that will cause the least amount of disruption.

“With major developments of this scale, there is always some regrettable inconvenience, but we just have to remember that the end result will be a much needed, brand new leisure centre."

As part of the works, the control box which runs the existing traffic lights will be removed to allow changes to the southbound entrance slip road. The existing four way traffic lights will be replaced by a set of two way temporary traffic lights.

While a temporary four way set was considered, WDC said these are not very effective in such situations.

However, the two way set means the ability to turn right into and out of the sports centre access road will, when necessary, be restricted to peak times only (before 9.30am and after 3.30pm).

This means outside of those hours, when right turns are prevented, traffic leaving the sports centre and wanting to turn right to head towards town will instead have to turn left and go around Handy Cross roundabout.

Similarly, traffic wanting to turn right into the sports centre access road on Marlow Hill will have to drive past the turning and instead use the gyratory system at the top of Marlow Hill to double back up the hill and make a left turn.

Anyone parking at the sports centre to use the new synthetic turf pitch at John Hampden Grammar School, or to pick up pupils after school, is asked to remind those crossing the road to use the underpass and not to cross the road amidst the roadworks.