IT is a notorious traffic hotspot.

Fears had been raised that action to fix problems at a junction off Leigh Road – a major route into Eastleigh town centre and to the M3 and M27 motorways – would lead to misery for motorists.

It is one of a raft of multi-million-pound measures to improve the transport network around the town ongoing or due to start, prompting concern it would bring the town to a standstill.

But transport bosses have assured the public that the work should not cause undue disruption when it starts on Monday.

Five months of work will begin at the junction of Leigh Road with Passfield Avenue and Woodside Avenue, which sees lengthy queues, particularly at rush hour.

Alongside resurfacing, contractors will be installing better signals and pedestrian crossings across Woodside Avenue and Leigh Road.

Passfield Avenue will be widened for a new left turn filter lane and Leigh Road will be widened in both directions to extend the existing turning lanes.

This is part of Hampshire County Council’s £2.3m investment into Eastleigh transport.

It will take place alongside ongoing improvement works at junction 5 of the M27 and work on the B3037 Bishopstoke Road, another main road into the town, which began on Monday and are set to last four months.

Work to replace a retaining wall and railings has the road down to one lane between 9.30am and 3.30pm.

But the council says the early work on Leigh Road is preparatory and off-road, meaning no restrictions will be in place at Leigh Road until work starts in earnest in June after work at Junction 5 of the M27 is complete.

However, it did acknowledge there could be some disruption.

Council investment also includes work at Eastleigh station from March 2 to improve access to the station forecourt, including a new toucan crossing on Southampton Road – though this work will happen overnight.

It will also close parts of Chickenhall Lane for resurfacing on the first two weekends in March.

Eastleigh councillor Paul Bicknell welcomed the work at Leigh Road, saying it would make life easier for residents, but added: “I hope they do honour what they’re saying that there will be no road restrictions until the end of the junction 5 roadworks.

“If they don’t it will cause problems, which isn’t acceptable.”

Eastleigh MP Mike Thornton said resolving traffic problems at Leigh Road could have a positive effect on roads around the town.

“I’m sure there will be some disruption,” he said. “But from what I have heard they are taking the problem seriously.”

Hampshire County Council executive member for economy, transport and environment Councillor Seán Woodward said good roads were essential for Eastleigh’s economic prosperity and residents’ quality of life.

“Work on this scale will inevitably cause some disruption, which is regrettable but unavoidable if we want to see results,” he said.

“I’m sure they will be properly coordinated to make sure they don’t create complete gridlock.”