A MAJOR road and motorway junction is set to be closed as part of an overhaul to improve traffic at a motorway junction.

Traffic using Stoneham Way in Eastleigh, which is a main road from the town into Southampton, as well as traffic heading eastwards on the M27 as junction for Southampton Airport will be stopped overnight for a week.

This is part of ongoing work at the junction for the last seven months which continues to cause disruption in the area.

From today, drivers using Stoneham Way will be diverted along Wide Lane and Chestnut Avenue while those travelling east on the M27 who normally come off at junction five will be diverted at junction seven for Hedge End.

The closure will be every day until Friday , from 10pm to 6am.

Construction started on the £8m Highways Agency scheme last August and should be complete by the end of March.

The area around the junction is notorious for traffic problems, particularly at peak times.

Transport bosses hope the work will improve traffic flow reducing delays at peak times, which have a knock on effect on access to Southampton Airport Parkway train station and Southampton Airport, boost economic growth and improve safety.

Work includes widening the M27 eastbound exit slip road, Stoneham Way and the A335 Wide Lane to three lanes, widening parts of the roundabout to three lanes, a separate left turn from the A335 onto the eastbound entry slip road and new traffic signals on the roundabout.

During the day this has led to speed restrictions and narrowed roads at the junction while there have been closures overnight.

This continues a scheme from 2009 to improve the M27 westbound exit slip road and A335 Stoneham Way.