DRIVERS using Southampton’s busiest road are being warned to prepare for weeks of motoring misery as roadworks get under way ahead of the anticipated opening of a new multi-million-pound superstore.

With just months before cash and carry giant Costco opens, essential improvements to the road system around the former BAT site in Millbrook start today.

The work at the junction of Millbrook Road West and Regents Park Road aims to ensure better access to the site and ease the burden on the existing inbound and outbound carriageways.

The cost of the work will be met by the store.

The first phase is expected to last four weeks and will see the third lane of the outbound carriageway of Millbrook Road West closed.

The entrance to Regents Park Road will become one-way, which will result in motorists being unable to access the road from Millbrook Road West.

However, drivers will be given a diversion route via Millbrook Road West, Millbrook roundabout, Tebourba Way and Oakley Road.

As previously reported, the Costco superstore, renowned for being a low-cost wholesaler, will create about 132 full-time and 117 part-time jobs for the city.

Spanning 13,000sq m and offering 4,000 different items, the store will help confirm the city’s claim to be the south’s retail hub.

Southampton City Council’s planning panel voted in favour of the scheme last year and it is expected to open by the summer.

Phase 2 of the roadworks is scheduled to begin on February 4, for a period of two weeks and will involve alterations to the junction of Regents Park Road.

This will be followed by a third phase, starting on February 18, which will take place at the entrance of the former BAT site.

Traffic will be controlled by a temporary give-and-take system using stop and go boards.

The fourth and final phase of the work will take place at the rear of the site in Waterhouse Lane from February 25 for one week.

Councillor Asa Thorpe, Cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “We welcome Costco coming to Southampton, bringing much needed jobs to the city.

“Costco is paying for all of the work on the highways improvements at the junction of Millbrook Road West and Regents Park Road in preparation for the opening of the new superstore.

“It has also contributed towards the cost of improving the traffic lights.

“We look forward to working with Costco to help improve the local community and to bring more prosperity to the area.”

Councillor Asa Thorpe, the city council’s Cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “We welcome Costco coming to Southampton, who is bringing much needed jobs to the city.

“Costco is paying for all of the work on the highways improvements at the junction of Millbrook Road West and Regents Park Road – in preparation for the opening of their new superstore. They have also contributed towards the cost of improving the traffic lights.

“We look forward to working with Costco to help improve to bring more prosperity to the area.”