ROAD work that caused traffic chaos on a major Hampshire road were not approved by highways bosses, it has been revealed

Three-way temporary traffic lights were put in place at the junction of Southampton Road with Derby Road in Eastleigh on April 5, due to emergency maintenance work carried out by gas firm SGN.

The work caused severe delays but it has been revealed that they were meant to take place outside rush hours between 9.30am and 4pm.

A spokesperson for Hampshire County Council said: " SGN carried out work during peak times on the evening of Wednesday and the morning of Thursday. These works were not approved by Hampshire County Council. Once the works were brought to our attention, we instructed SGN to vacate the site by 4pm yesterday, which they did. "

Work were carried out by SGN to upgrade the service to a property in Southampton Road.

A spokesman for the firm said they took the lights away when asked but would not comment further.