Works to repair the "poor state" of Ryde's Great Preston Road have been delayed.

Island Roads is blaming "nearby third-party works" overunning.

Southern Water is currently carrying out utility works on part of the popular route.

Repairs by Island Roads to fix the deterioration of the carriageway were due to bgin on Monday (16).

The utility firm has now said it aims to start repairs by the middle of next week.

The project aims to upgrade three sections of Great Preston Road between Carlton Road and Alexandra Road  — a total area of around 1,200 square metres.

To reduce the need for future work, Island Roads will undertake deeper excavation and, as a result, Great Preston Road will be closed as a through road for the duration of the project

The work is being timed to avoid the spring and summer months when the road is busier and also after a period of recent activity in the area by utility companies as well as Island Roads’s own improvement work.

Island Roads is also in the coming months undertaking a programme of other local road improvements all of which have been — or will be — advertised in the communities affected.

An Island Roads spokesperson said: “It is clearly sensible, where possible, to reduce planned roadworks in the high summer season when the roads are at their busiest but this of course means we have to schedule work at other times of the year.

“While we make every effort to minimise disruption work of this nature will inevitably have some impact and we’d like to thank residents in advance for their understanding.”