ESSENTIAL road re-surfacing work is set to start at Arrowe Park Hospital this week.

The work, taking place outside the emergency department, is due to begin on Wednesday and expected to be finished by Sunday, March 31.

A hospital spokeswoman said the work will not affect services; however it will temporarily change access for vehicles.

The road directly outside the emergency department and main entrance will only be open to emergency ambulances.

All other vehicles will be redirected with temporary bays for non-emergency ambulances and public drop-off set up at the top of the current patient and visitor paid-for car park, opposite the hospital’s main entrance.

Hospital trust chief executive Janelle Holmes said: "This is essential maintenance work to improve the access at the hospital. If you are planning to attend the hospital during this period, we ask that you take extra care and time.

"The area outside our emergency department and main entrance can get very busy so any disruption will be kept to an absolute minimum, however, there could be some congestion at peak times for which we are sorry.

"The safety of the public and staff using roads on our hospital site is paramount during these road-surfacing improvement works, so please ensure you follow the signage."