A MULTI-MILLION pound bridge replacement scheme that will close the M27 will now be completed two months later than planned.

A £19 million project to knock down and replace the Romsey Road bridge has been pushed back.

Highways England, leading the scheme, has said that due to extra refinements and environmental work, the project will now finish in October 2019, two months later than had been quoted in February this year.

It means the dates of the three weekend closures have also shifted.

Bosses had hoped that over the first weekend closure, the west side would be demolished, with the east bridge then carrying the A3057 traffic both ways using temporary traffic lights, while the new bridge was built alongside it.

The second closure would see the new bridge lifted into place, with the final closure seeing the east bridge demolished before the new bridge is fully open to two-way traffic from August next year.

Now, the first closure will take place between September 28 until October 1, and the second will be between April 26 and April 29, 2019.

The final closure will be October 18 until October 21.

Highways England said: “The project has been affected by legislative changes to the environmental assessment process. This means we now need to extend the amount of work which is required to enable us to start work.

“Due to the extra refinements and environmental work needed, we have now consulted surrounding local authorities to agree three new weekend overnight closure dates for the M27 between junctions three and four, and the A3057 Romsey Road bridge.”

Infrastructure work began in March, and a weight limit was put on the bridge two years ago to prolong the life of the bridge until the main work began.

MP for Romsey and Southampton North, Caroline Nokes said: “I am encouraged by this slight delay to the schedule to this extensive and ambitious project. I was one of a number of people with concerns about the planned mid-summer start date, so I have no doubt this change will ease the burden on the roads significantly.

“I know there are local residents who are still anxious about precisely what will happen when works begin, but I know Highways England are working very hard to both inform the public, and minimise disruption as much as possible.”