UPDATE 12.20pm (Saturday): Drivers are facing delays of around 15 minutes today in Lyndhurst, with problems on the main approaches. Traffic is also heavy at junction 1 of the M27/ A31 near Cadnam.

Drivers are set for Easter gridlock in Hampshire this year as they battle the increased traffic and a number of roadworks.

More than 20 million cars will be on the UK’s roads over the holiday period, with traffic is forecast to be at its worst on Maundy Thursday, when there is expected to be a 20% increase in traffic, according to transportation analytics firm INRIX.

There are also a number of ongoing roadworks projects in Hampshire that could cause travel misery for motorists.

Research by INRIX warns drivers to avoid the roads between 4pm and 6pm on Maundy Thursday, 10am and 2pm on Good Friday and 12pm and 5pm on Easter Monday.

For drivers hoping to make the most of the Bank Holiday weekend, the research suggests heading on the roads between 10am and 12pm on Maundy Thursday, before 10am and after 2pm on Good Friday and before 12pm and after 5pm on Easter Monday.

Graham Cookson, chief economist and head of research at INRIX, said: “With UK drivers spending an average of 30 hours in congestion last year, they are no stranger to sitting in traffic.

“We expect significant delays over the Easter period due to a combination of factors, including the regular post-work peak, the start of the school break, people going on holiday, railway engineering works and Tube closures.

“Our advice to drivers is to consider alternative routes or avoid peak times altogether. By checking live traffic data drivers can ensure they reach their destinations in good time.”

Hampshire motorways

  • M271 junction 1 exit slip roads – road closure (9.10pm-6am until June 1)
  • M27 junction 5 to junction 3 – eastbound lane closure (9pm-6am until June 14)
  • M3 junction 13 – road closure on entry slip road (9pm-6am until June 14)
  • M3 junction 12 – road closure on overbridge (9pm-6am until April 22)
  • M3 junction 9 to junction 12 – lane closure (8.20pm-6am until May 8)

New Forest

  • Parsonage Barn Lane, Ringwood – road closure (Maundy Thursday)
  • Ringwood Road, Bransgore – traffic controlled from Burley Road to Derritt Lane (until April 21)
  • Milford Road, Lymington – traffic controlled from the junction of Belmore Road to outside The White Hart pub (until April 25)
  • Stanford Hill, Lymington – traffic controlled from the junction of Anchorage Way to the junction of Belmore Lane (until April 28)
  • Belmore Road, Lymington – road closure at the junction for Milford Road (until April 21)
  • Sway Road, Tiptoe – lane closure on B3055 Arnewood Bridge Road/Sway Road and Crabbswood Lane between its junctions with Middle Road & Sway Road (until April 25)
  • High Street, Lyndhurst – road closure near the car park entrance (until April 18)
  • Staplewood Lane, Marchwood – traffic controlled outside Little Stapleford Farm (Maundy Thursday)
  • Totton By-Pass, Totton – lane closure near the industrial estate (until April 20)

Southampton

  • Franconia Drive, Nursling – road closure from junction with the M271 (until May 31)
  • Romsey Road, Shirley – traffic controlled outside 237 Romsey Road (until April 18)
  • Lordswood Road, Bassett – traffic controlled from the Dale Valley Road junction to opposite Dunkirk Road junction (Maundy Thursday)
  • Burgess Road – road closure (until April 21)
  • Portland Terrace - road closure (9pm- 5am until Good Friday)
  • Vincent’s Walk – road closure (until September 30)
  • Above Bar Street – road closure (until April 20)
  • Onslow Road, Bevois – traffic controlled from the St Mary’s Road junction to the Mount Pleasant Road junction (until April 28)
  • Victoria Road, Woolston – traffic controlled from the Keswick Road junction to outside 213 Victoria Road
  • Portswood Road, Portswood – traffic controlled from the entrance to Bowden Lane to opposite Presbertery
  • Woodmill Lane, Bitterne Park – traffic controlled outside 144 Woodmill Lane (until April 20)
  • Manor Farm Road, Bitterne Park – traffic controlled outside Bitterne Park Junior School (until April 28)
  • Cobden Avenue, Bitterne Park – traffic controlled at the Cobbett Road junction (until April 20)

Hampshire

  • St Johns Road, Hedge End – road closure outside 38 St John’s Road (until April 25)
  • Allington Lane, West End – traffic controlled (until May 5)
  • Woodside Avenue, Eastleigh – traffic controlled from the roundabout with B&Q up to Kipling Road (until August 11)