Road works which would help prevent more than 150 homes and 280 businesses near the River Itchen from flooding have been postponed after a major warehouse fire.

Traffic lights were due to be installed on Marine Parade from today, seeing the road made one-way whilst works implemented part of a £41 million flood alleviation scheme.

Among the properties said to be at risk of flooding include those in the Northam area of Marine Parade, outside St Mary's stadium.

But the work has now been postponed, Southampton City Council confirmed to the Echo, with no new date set for the works.

In 2021, the city council announced that a £41m scheme to protect hundreds of homes and businesses in the city from flooding had been given the green light.

A spokesperson for Southampton City Council said: “The works on Marine Parade are ground survey works to support the design of the River Itchen Flood Alleviation Scheme.

“Further phases of works, which were scheduled to start next week have been postponed due to the fire incident.”

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The works on the major road, which were set to go ahead on March 18 were postponed due to the impact of a warehouse fire close to the football ground.

The fire, which was started in a warehouse on Marine Parade, resulted in the Saints' fixture against Preston North End being cancelled and a plume of black smoke was seen across the city.

Some drivers had noticed one-way temporary traffic lights on Marine Parade that many suspected indicated the demolition of the warehouse burnt down.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service last week concluded its investigation into the cause of the blaze, which ripped through the unit on March 6.

The service told the Echo that the fire is not deemed to be suspicious and the investigation was now being led by loss adjusters and their fire investigators.

As reported in the Echo back in 2021, experts warned the city council that by 2120, the flood risk would increase to 1,167 homes and 1,033 businesses, with potential flood depths of up to 1.8m.

According to a report published by Southampton City Council, shows the Northam area has a history of flooding events.