Six months of new traffic routes in Sandys will start today to accommodate “urgent” work on a failing roadside wall at Scaur Hill.

The one-way routes, which will affect buses at the West End, will not include traffic lights — and temporary lights put up in the past week after the wall was found to be unsafe will be taken down.

The westbound lane of Somerset Road at Scaur Hill had to be closed on September 19.

Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, the Minister of Public Works, said the 230ft retaining wall was “structurally undermined and urgently needs replacing”.

He added: "The existing wall, made of Bermuda stone simply stacked atop each other using an older construction method, is aged and beginning to break apart.

“It is not securely held in place, posing a risk to motorists and area residents.

"We are committed to rebuilding this wall much stronger and with better materials, ensuring the safety of all who use this route.“

Colonel Burch gave special thanks to homeowners who allowed the Government to construct a temporary lane through their front yards for the one-way route into the West End.

"Their co-operation has been invaluable, and we have agreed to restore their yards once the project is completed."

Some bus stops have to close, with others set up temporarily, to accommodate the new routes.

For eastbound travel, bus stop No 13 next to Ledgelets Lane will be closed and temporarily relocated along the Railway Trail near Wingood Way, also known as the Old Railway Trail stop.

Bus Stop No 5 on Middle Road near the Bluebird Lane junction will be closed, with commuters encouraged to use the temporary Wingood Way stop.

Bus commuters can walk along Halt Lane/Wingood Way to access Middle Road or the Railway Trail.

For westbound traffic, bus stops No 4 and No 8 on Middle Road remain open.

Questions can be directed to Tina Beer-Searle, the ministry's principal highways engineer, at 501-3044.