THE Queensway Tunnel in Birkenhead will be closed from tonight for a weekend of essential maintenance work.

Drivers are being advised to use the Kingsway Tunnel, Wallasey, from 9pm tonight until 6.30am on Monday, November 14 and to expect minor delays to their journeys.

Works include replacing the drainage systems which are found at the Liverpool and Birkenhead tunnel entrances and run across all four lanes.

Commuters have been asked to check travel updates on the Merseytravel website or via their "Journey Planner" app before travelling across the Mersey.

Head of asset management Tony Killen said: “This work needs to be done and unfortunately it cannot be completed without a full closure of the tunnel.

“However, we have carefully considered the timing in of this and we chose this weekend as it would be quieter in terms of no major events, minimising disruption for our customers.

“In addition we need to get it done before we get into the Christmas shopping period and before the Wirral Loop Line Track Renewal works so we can help keep the city region moving.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate tunnel-users cooperation during these essential works.”

The Wirral Loop Line Track Renewal will start on Tuesday, January 3.