MOTORISTS in central Southampton are still facing disruption after the failure of a new temporary traffic signal system.

The new system, which temporarily turned Commercial Road and West Park Road into one-way streets, was due to be put into place last night.

But delays to implementing the signals at the junction of West Park Road and Havelock Road have resulted in gridlock for many motorists this morning.

Balfour Beatty, which was implementing the signals, says temporary measures were put into place and engineers have now fixed the signals.

The works are part of the project to build the Mayflower Halls student development on Commercial Road.

With the new development set to open later this summer, final works to connect water, gas and electricity supplies have meant that some temporary changes to roads in the area have been made.

It comes just a month after a fire on the roof of the block brought the city centre to a standstill, but developer Osborne says the blaze will not delay its opening ahead of the new term.