MOTORISTS are being urged to brace themselves for traffic this morning as works continue on a vital main road.

Transport chiefs came under fire for their decisions to close Upper Northam Road in Hedge End for major improvement works.

But now one week into the works, commuters are being warned to allow plenty of time for their journeys.

Councillors say the three weeks of works will cause server congestion and turn surrounding areas into rat runs.

The main road links the town to the M27 junction seven roundabout and is undergoing improvements to shore up steep embankments which collapsed during a landslip in storms and torrential rains in winter last year.

Hundreds of letters were sent to residents in the area by Hampshire County Council warning them of the closure and alternative routes they should take.

Upper Northam Road will be closed between the M27 junction and the junction with Turnpike Way.

Diversions are in place in both directions along Charles Watts Way, Grange Road and Lower Northam Road.

The council has ordered the closures to repair embankments and damaged carriageway as part of the authority's Operation Resilience Programme.

Hedge End town councillor Jane Welsh said the closure will lead to Turnpike Way and other residential roads becoming plagued by rat runners.

Cllr Welsh, who lives in nearby Reservoir Lane, said: “The work needed to be done but it would be better in the school holidays.

“It's a nightmare in the mornings with traffic, as it is, but they just don't seem to think how these things affect people.

“Closing one side of the road and installing traffic lights would have been better.”

Members of Hedge End Parish Council also approached the council, questioning whether a full closure was necessary.

Parish council chairwoman Shelia Baynes added: “It's going to cause major disruption and involve an enormous detour, but if it has to be done it has to be done. We have to do the best we can and maybe people have to start out a little bit earlier to find their way around.”