A NUMBER of roads in Southampton could be closed overnight after the blaze at the Firework Factory.

While firefighters had hoped to open some of the roads around the site by lunchtime, others are unlikely to reopen today.

Bitterne Road West is currently closed at the gyratory system, as is Bullar Road near its junction with Bitterne Road West.

Traffic misery is set to continue through the rush hour as traffic heading out of Southampton will have to avoid the Northam Bridge.

Motorists are still being urged to avoid the area and the tolls have been lifted on the Itchen Bridge in response to the incident, with motorists trying to use the route to get in or out of the city centre advised to use that bridge or Cobden Bridge.

Closures are likely to remain overnight with delays on roads to the west of the River Itchen, especially Thomas Lewis Way.

First Southampton's bus routes serving the east of the city are also still disrupted.

Affected routes are 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, X4 and X5 which are subject to long delays, she added.

Routes 8 and 10 are being diverted through Woolston via Peartree Avenue until further notice.

The spokesman said that there are good services on routes to the west of the city but these may also be subject to delay.