SOUTHAMPTON travel chiefs have warned drivers to plan their journeys in advance ahead of the closure of part of a major city roundabout.

City road bosses say the closure, of part of Redbridge Roundabout, is expected to cause "some delays".

It comes after Highways England announced plans to close part of the roundabout, from the evening of Friday, July 19 to the evening of Saturday, July 20.

A spokesperson for Southampton City Council said: "Highways England are leading on the current roadworks project to improve Redbridge Roundabout and the M271.

"When finished it will result in extra capacity and feature a number of improvements for pedestrians and cyclists.

"Please plan ahead for the closure.

"We expect some delays on the signed diversion routes so please allow extra time for essential journeys."

As previously reported in the Daily Echo, Highways England say the “unavoidable” closure will allow engineers to demolish a footbridge over the north-eastern side of the roundabout.

Highways chiefs say they plan to install a new “wider and less steep” bridge later this year.

The demolition work will block southbound traffic on the M271 travelling towards the A33, Redbridge Road.

Highways bosses plan to divert traffic off the M271 at junction one for Brownhill Way and in the direction of Lordshill.

Traffic will then be diverted down Romsey Road and onto Tebourba Way.

Drivers travelling from the east will be diverted off the M27 at junction five, for Eastleigh, onto Winchester Road and also onto Tebourba Way.