MORE buses will be on standby this weekend, ready to cope with the anticipated traffic chaos.

As previously reported, Southampton could be brought to a standstill over the weekend as work to rebuilt the Romsey Road Bridge will start on Friday at 10pm.

The M27 from junctions three to five will be closed until 5am on October 1 and traffic will be diverted.

Now bosses at Southampton bus company Bluestar said they were preparing for anticipating higher levels of traffic.

General manager Richard Tyldsley said: “While the road closure will not directly affect the routes any of our buses take, we are anticipating higher levels of traffic on the roads our buses do serve, therefore we will have extra drivers and buses on standby, ready to step in to maintain reliability.”

The company said these would be on standby, for as and when needed.

The firm has confirmed that its operations team will be monitoring the situation as it happens across all its routes and will be placing buses and drivers in areas only where they feel it will make a positive difference.

As previously reported, Romsey Road bridge carries the A3057 over the M27 between Upton and Nursling. Highways England said the replacement bridge had a different design and will have a lifespan of 120 years.

Highways England project sponsor Andrew Winson said the new bridge will be built in the site compound nearby and lifted into place.

The M27 will be closed again from April 26 to 29 and between October 18 and 21, both 2019.