The new year will bring a new series of hold-ups for drivers.

Motorists heading back to work after the Christmas break will find they may be delayed by temporary traffic lights set up for various engineering projects.

Drivers are asked to be patient and to allow extra time for their journeys.

The good news is that the major project at Westham Bridge in Weymouth, which was only due to take four months to complete but is lasting a whole year, is due to finish at the end of January.

Wessex Water is replacing the stormwater outfall at the marina with a new structure, but unexpected tidal conditions have hampered the works. A lane has been closed on the A354 Westwey Road to allow the work to take place while many parking spaces on the bridge are out of action and pedestrian access restricted.

A programme of works detailed on Wessex Water’s website indicates the project is due to progress throughout February – but a spokesman said this information was out of date and it is on schedule to finish by the end of January.

Roadworks projects drivers should look out for include two weeks of work in the centre of Dorchester beginning today.

There will be traffic control in High West Street at the Allington Street junction for the SGN project and Allington Street will be closed at this junction.

Also due to begin today, Wessex Water starts installing new water mains in the Preston and Sutton Poyntz area.

Temporary traffic lights will be in place in Preston Road and Halstock Close for two weeks. This will be followed by overnight work for bout four weeks.

Sutton Road will be closed for two weeks from January 21, with a second two-week closure in place from February 4. All work is scheduled to be completed by February 15. To access Sutton Poyntz, drivers must divert up Coombe Valley Road and Plaisters Lane.

Wessex Water’s Paul Delves said: “Some noise is inevitable but we’ll make every effort to avoid disturbance to residents and we’ll be working extended hours to complete the scheme as quickly as possible.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the traffic lights and road closures.”

Drivers in Weymouth should also watch out for roadworks in Chickerell Road near the Admiral Hardy (Jan 2-4) and at the other end near Budmouth College (Jan 2), Dorchester Road at Lodmoor (Jan 2-4), Abbotsbury Road near Essex Road (Jan 9-11), Franchise Street (Jan 7-11), Norfolk Road (Jan 14-16) and Dorchester Road at Broadwey (Jan 14-18).

There’s also works on the A354 at Monkton Hill this Thursday.