MOTORISTS are being urged to avoid part of Southampton city centre, with four cruise ships in port today.

The city council is warning of potential delays in the waterfront area after Ruby Princess, Seven Seas Voyager, Oriana and Arcadia all arrived in port this morning.

Thousands of people will arrive in the city this morning to embark on cruises.

City council highways officers used social networking site Twitter to say: “Expecting a busy day in the waterfront area with lots of arriving passengers for cruises & ferries, take other routes if possible.”

There are currently delays for motorists on Terminus Terrace, Canute Road and West Quay Road as inbound traffic towards Town Quay builds up.

With major roadworks still taking place at Platform Road and Town Quay, civic chiefs will hope to avoid the traffic chaos which was endured by hundreds of motorists on three occasions at the end of last year and the beginning of 2014.