MONTHS of improvement work on a vital city road link finally came to an end today as engineers wrap up the multi-millionpound project.

Workers were this morning putting the finishing touches to improvements carried out on Redbridge roundabout in Southampton and were due leave the site this morning.

It means motorists travelling to and from the city will no longer endure delays that have blighted their journeys since work started in October last year.

The work is part of a £2m Southampton City Council scheme to improve the roundabout, which is described as a key gateway into the city, to ensure it can carry high numbers of vehicles over the next ten to 15 years.

It carries up to 60,000 vehicles per day, equalling in excess of 20 million vehicles a year.

Improvements have been carried out in two phases and the final stage of work started last night.

The project’s completion will come as a relief for drivers, who were caught out by a sudden closure of the roundabout over the Easter weekend. Motorists were forced to take long diversions despite Southampton City Council insisting closure signs were put up and information was available on its website.

Work was delayed by heavy rain last month as engineers needed dry conditions to resurface the road.

The resurfacing was eventually completed during the last weekend of April. AA spokesman Paul Watters said the completion of the work will be a “huge relief” for the city’s motorists.

He said: “It’s pretty much the important artery.

“Hopefully it won’t be closed again for some time. These structures have to be safe. They take a lot of wear and tear and ultimately we don’t want to be in a situation where they are closed for a very long period where they are not in good shape.”

Mike Harris, acting director for environment and economy at Southampton City Council, said: “I thank everyone for their patience during these essential works. Now the works are completed it is possible to see the extent of the new surfacing and appreciate just how large this project was.

“I am pleased that the contractor was able to reduce disruption to weekday peak-hour journeys.

“The scheme demonstrates our commitment to investing in key infrastructure which is essential to maintaining the vitality of the city.”