The good news was that trenching near Shelly Bay would finally be over by the holiday weekend.

The bad news was that sections of Palmetto Road and North Shore Road near the incinerator site would be single-lane only -- for the next four months.

The 24-hour restrictions will use temporary traffic lights similar to those used at Shelly Bay. They start on Monday and are expected to last until November 26.

Works and Engineering chiefs apologised, saying the move was to give more room for contractors working on the incinerator.

Chief engineer Mr. Dave Arden said traffic restrictions previously imposed on North Shore Road near the site would now be continued.

Palmetto Road would have new controls.

He said the incinerator site was filling up and there was less and less space.

To avoid delays it was decided to make space by moving a crane, but this took up room on a link road on the site.

Part of one lane of Palmetto Road, between two entrances to the site, was therefore needed.

"We're hoping these restrictions won't adversely affect the travelling public.

"It's crucial for this very important project that we do this.'' By the end of next week he hoped state-of-the-art American traffic lights would be on Palmetto Road, able to adjust to traffic.

The closed lane sections were 200 metres long compared to 800 metres at Shelly Bay.

Mr. Arden added: "I wouldn't expect the delays to be as significant as at Shelly Bay.'' Principal highways engineer Mr. Marshal Minors said: "We would ask the public to exercise as much caution and courtesy as possible.''