ROADWORKS will be halted on nearby routes as county bosses warn of the "significant disruption" ahead of a £19m bridge replacement project that will close the M27 next weekend.

As Highways England reveals details of the scheme, Hampshire County Council have said they will be removing all the roadworks on nearby routes and diversions to help the roads cope with the added traffic that won't be able to use the M27 between September 28 and October 1.

As reported, the diversion for larger vehicles is 58 miles, with the A3057 Romsey Road bridge being taken apart and replaced between now and October 2019.

Cllr Rob Humby, the executive member for environment and transport said: "Now we have the detail of the work Highways England are going to carry out and their planned diversion routes, Hampshire County Council is putting plans in place to make sure staff and our partners can continue to deliver essential services to residents.

"We are expecting significant disruption while this closure on the M27 is in place, with normal motorway traffic having to use local roads."

County councillor for Romsey, Mark Cooper, said the added traffic flowing through Romsey could harm businesses, with deputy leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Nick Adams-King saying that drivers with local knowledge were likely to follow their own routes.

Cllr Rob Humby added: "For our part, we will be pulling off all our roadworks on the diversion routes, but I would urge people making plans for that weekend to leave more time for their journeys, to check the local traffic and travel information before they set off, and for residents and businesses in the area to be aware of the likely disruption and extra traffic on local roads."

The M27 junctions three to four will shut from 10pm on September 28 until 5am on October 1.