Police have warned motorists to expect traffic disruption in east Belfast this weekend with a planned parade due to take place during major resurfacing works.

The A2 Sydenham Bypass is to shut tonight and will not reopen to motorists again until Monday

The closure is part of a major £3.8m project, which began on Wednesday, and will see work along citybound lanes, between Tillysburn junction and the start of the M3.

Work on the road will begin at 10pm tonight and will continue until 6am on Monday morning.

Diversions will be put in place via Holywood Road, Newtownards Road and Middlepath Street.

An alternative route will also be available via Holywood Exchange, Airport Road, and Sydenham Road with Queens Island, SSE, TEC and TSB sites signed.

Meanwhile, a 36th (Ulster) Division Memorial Association parade is due to begin at 11am on Saturday in east Belfast with around 500 participants.

The parade will start on Circular Road, and will proceed along Sydenham Avenue, Belmont Church Road and Belmont Road where there will be a pause for a service.

Participants will then head along Holywood Road, Newtownards Road, Albertbridge Road, Templemore Avenue , Castlereagh Street and Castlereagh Road to Willowfield Street where there will be a further short service.

The final leg of the parade will then move down Woodstock Road, Beersbridge Road, Templemore Avenue, Castlereagh Street and Albertbridge Road towards The Mount, where the parade will disperse at around 1pm.

A diversion will be in place on Holywood Road, at Park Avenue; however diverted traffic will only be permitted to flow cityward for the duration of the parade.

Meanwhile, Glentoran will play Glenavon at The Oval for their NIFL Premiership fixture at 3pm on Saturday.

A spokesperson for the PSNI said: “Where possible, seek an alternative route for your journey.

“If you need to travel in the area, please note the above route and allow additional time for your journey, particularly if you are travelling to George Best Belfast City Airport.

“Motorists should also be aware that resurfacing works on the Sydenham Bypass mean that its citybound lanes will be closed this weekend, between Tillysburn and the M3. This is likely to cause further delay in the area.”