The bridge over the A46 at Stoneleigh will remain closed until the start of December, as Warwickshire County Council (WCC) extends the closure yet again.

The Stoneleigh Road crossing was closed between the slip roads at the start of October as works to install a new parapet continue.

The works were due to finish on October 22, before being extended until November 5.

Now the road will remain shut until Sunday 3 December.

The closure means anyone wishing to travel south on the A46 from the University of Warwick must now pass through Kenilworth to reach the dual carriageway.

WCC says it will "do all we can to reopen the road" earlier, but blamed the extension on the works been "more complicated" than expected.

"We apologise for the ongoing road closure, and inconvenience and disruption caused," the council said.

"This is not a situation we would want to be in, with Dalehouse Lane closed as well but in the interests of safety this needs to remain in place."

It added: "Due to the age of the structure, we have been having difficulties in retrofitting a new parapet to the old structure.

"We carried out initial survey works to inform the design; this was to ensure the new parapet did not interfere with key structural elements of the structure.

"Once the old parapet was removed further survey works were carried out to verify the initial survey work.

"These surveys were either inconclusive or contradictory to the previous results. To be sure we did not do long term detrimental damage to the structure further tests were carried out on the structure by drilling pilot holes where we intend to erect the parapet.

"This has been an iterative process and has taken much longer than anticipated. We are nearing the completion of the testing and will resume the permanent works shortly. As there is currently no parapet in place the bridge is not in a safe state to open, once the old parapet was removed it was not possible to reinstate this."

The £38 million project may now not be finished until early next year, WCC has also confirmed.

The project to build a new bridge and roundabout at the A46 junction has been hit by major delays and is now set to be complete "in winter 2023/24".

Originally planned to be complete in summer 2022, the major scheme has been slowed by "various issues" including supply problems.

WCC says the project currently remains within the budget.