A section of an arterial route in and out of Southampton is set to be closed for two weeks as urgent water main repairs are carried out.

Southern Water contractors will shut Romsey Road between Bakers Drove and Horns Drove for two weeks starting from tonight.

The urgent works will be carried out to repair a burst water main, though the utility company confirmed that water supply should not be affected by the work.

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In a letter sent to residents, Southern Water said: "Due to the location of the burst pipe this section of Romsey Road will be closed to traffic while we carry out a repair, with a traffic diversion route in place.

"We are working closely with both Hampshire County Council Highways and Southampton City Council Highways to minimise local traffic disruption as much as possible during the work, however please plan your journey and allow additional time for travel if driving in the area."

Southern Water say the works are expected to take up to two weeks to complete.

Hampshire County Council leader Nick Adams-King has objected to the closure.

In a message to Southern Water, he said: "A two week closure of this route is frankly unacceptable. I would assume you would be working to complete the works more quickly than this?

"It is the major route into Southampton from Romsey and will cause significant disruption to my constituents in Nursling and Rownhams."