HERE we are again.

Motorists are facing a weekend of traffic chaos as the M27 between J3 and J4 will remain closed until 5am on Monday.

But highway bosses have said this is the last weekend closure.

It comes as the motorway as well as Romsey Road have been shut to allow the demolition of the old Romsey Road Bridge.

As reported, the bridge was nearing the end of its life and had to be replaced.

The £19m replacement scheme was launched in 2018 and entailed weekend closures in September 2018 and June 2019, when Southampton and the surrounding areas were brought to a standstill.

Now drivers face once again a 55-mile diversion route. All vehicles heading west on the M27 from Portsmouth to Bournemouth will be diverted off at junction 4, up the M3 and the A34, the A303 past Andover, down the A345 into Salisbury and onto the A36 towards the M27 at J2 (Ower).

Meanwhile, a number of other diversion routes are in place for eastbound traffic which will mainly be diverted through North Baddesley and Chilworth.

The closure comes as South Western Railway has also announced that passengers should expect delays, cancellations and diverted train journeys until Monday after a train derailed at Eastleigh Railway Station earlier this week.

Highways England have warned residents of "severe congestion" and urged them to plan their journeys in advance. The scheme is expected to be completed by spring.