A MAJOR city route has reopened after a loose tree branch forced the closure of a carriageway.

Mansbridge Road in West End has been closed in both directions from Haskins Garden Centre to Townhill Way after a tree branch was threatening to fall across the carriageway.

Southampton City Council's highways department confirmed minutes earlier the road had been closed due to a safety issue with the tree.

Now the tree branch has been removed by a tree surgeon.

Traffic had turned around at Haskins Garden Centre in West End.

This caused long eastbound queues on the approach from Swaythling.