MOTORISTS in and near Southampton this morning are facing heavy traffic after two sets of roadworks started.

Drivers are stuck in lengthy delays on Redbridge Road, Southampton, as a result of roadworks on Millbrook Roundabout.

Bus firm Bluestar is reporting delays on at least five of its routes, and there is traffic on Redbridge Causeway heading east, into the city.

And there are significant traffic problems on the M27 in both directions between junction five for Eastleigh and junction nine for Whiteley – an eight-mile stretch of carriageway.

Both sets of roadworks, which will include average speed cameras and a 50mph speed limit on the M27, began today.

Highways England predicted that drivers on the motorway would face a maximum 13-minute delay to their journeys due to roadworks.

A spokesperson said: “The road layout will change regularly and lanes will be narrower than normal.

Daily Echo:

PICTURED: A map showing heavy traffic on the M27 (Romanse/romanse.org.uk)

“Having a 50mph speed limit and enforcing it with cameras is a vital part of making sure we can deliver the upgrade safely and enable drivers to get to where they want to be quickly and safely.”

Meanwhile, Southampton City Council expects its latest Millbrook Roundabout work to last two months.

Now in its the third stage, the penultimate round of the £8.3 million scheme will see the slip-road from Millbrook Road West onto the roundabout shut off, as well as the exit from the roundabout onto First Avenue – which leads to Dock Gate 20.

Millbrook flyover will remain fully open throughout the work.

The final part of the work: phase four, from March to late-April, will see the closure of First Avenue (northbound) up to the roundabout and part of the slip-road onto Redbridge Road up to the junction with Second Avenue.