MAJOR redevelopment works which will last for five months have begun on a busy Falmouth junction.
Motorists are being warned to expect delays after works to reconfigure the Union Corner junction, opposite Falmouth School, started on Monday.
The £2.3 million project, due to be completed in July 2015, aims to increase the capacity at the junction and improve safety.
Works, which will be carried out by Cormac, will include the replacement of the double mini-roundabouts which link Union Road, Trescobeas Road, Bickland Hill, and Kergilliack Road with a single roundabout and a new link road to Trecobeas Road.
The project will also involve upgrades to the existing pedestrian footpaths and cycleways, improvements to drainage systems and the installation of new signs and energy efficient lighting.
Bert Biscoe, Cornwall Council Cabinet member for transport said: "This upgrade is a much needed improvement for Falmouth which will enhance the pedestrian experience as well as improving traffic flow. With the need to keep things moving as much as possible it's a complex scheme.
"Cormac is an experienced contractor and will work well with the surrounding community to ensure safety, ease of access and as clean an environment as possible during the works."
Cormac has said it will work with partners to keep disruption to a minimum and ensure that local residents, businesses and schools are kept fully informed during the construction period.
Traffic management plans are being developed to minimise potential delays to deliveries, traffic and parking.
Cormac site manager Ian Newby said: "We recognise that the scale of these works will inevitably cause some disruption at peak periods and we will working hard to minimise the impact.
"We would like to thank everyone for their patience during this time."
Funding has come from partners, including £1.5m from the Government's Local Pinch Point Fund and Cornwall Council's Local Transport Plan.