FED-UP motorists have been delivered another traffic bombshell to launch them into 2001 with news that extensive roadworks on the notorious Handy Cross rounabout are to be unveiled in the New Year.

Improvement work at Junction 4 of the M40 is pencilled to start on January 2 and could last up to four months.

The work could mean lengthy closures to the busy C100 Marlow road in both directions and the A4010 John Hall Way. A length of the C100 Wycombe Road at Marlow Bottom will also become off-limits for drivers.

The road closures have been ordered by Buckinghamshire County Council but the Highways Agency, which is doing the work, said it was unlikely disruption would occur at rush hour times.

Spokesman Ian Michelle added most of the work would be at night and it was unlikely all three roads would be closed at once.

But after recent delays to traffic along the M40 motorists are feeling the pinch.

Wycombe district councillor Roger Wilson (Con, Marlow North) is appalled with the way the news of the work has been made available.

He said: "No notices have been given on the work which is to be carried out. There just hasn't been enough advanced warning."

Mr Michelle explained the four month period of possible closures was a safeguard in case the work needed more time for completion.

He added: "There will be some tweaking involving a small change in line markings and a changing of signal timings."

But Cllr Wilson added: "If they're saying it's general tweaking it's unbelievable to consider closing those roads for four months."

A spokesman for Bucks County Council said: "It's paramount that the roadworks taking place at Handy Cross cause the least amount of disruption possible to road users.

"We will try to endeavour, along with the Highways Agency, to ensure that the roads are kept open at peak times."