Queen Margaret's Road between Filey Road and Mere Lane will be shut from Wednesday for slope stabilisation works, aimed at preventing it from cracking up.

It is the latest in a seemingly endless catalogue of road chaos to hit Scarborough motorists as a result of the new Osgodby bypass and the forthcoming park and ride scheme.

Scarborough Council's head of technical services John Riby said he recognised the closure was "likely to inconvenience a considerable number of motorists" but said it was necessary to safeguard the park and ride route.

However, businesses in and around the nearby Queen Margaret's Industrial Estate, have been quick to hit out.

Kevin Atkinson, of City Electrical Factors, said: "This is going to cause a lot of inconvenience. Not only does it cause problems around Queen Margaret's Road, but what will happen to all the traffic that is already backing up Queen Margaret's because of the new road system? It is just going to add to Scarborough's traffic problems."

Branch director of MKM, Brian Flintoft, said: "Seamer Road is bad enough at the moment. Traffic is now piling back to Musham Bank or further – this is only going to make it worse."

He said he and the other retailers already had a problem with the mini- roundabout being removed.

However, the town's ambulance base is unlikely to be affected by the works due to special contingency plans.

Ian Walton, A&E Operations Director for Yorkshire Ambulance Service, said: "We are in negotiation with the contractors to place a stand-by point at the other side of the roadworks. This will have facilities for the ambulance crews and should help prevent any difficulties in reaching the east side of the town."

The engineering work will be carried out on in the area of Parnell's Wood.

Mr Riby said: "This area has suffered slope instability which will in due course affect the carriageway. The earth movement arises from groundwater conditions which have already affected the sub-base of the carriageway."