MOTORISTS have been urged to avoid a busy commuter route into Southampton as major repairs take place following a road smash.

One lane of the Redbridge flyover eastbound carriageway is closed for work to fix a damaged parapet after a car crash.

And the whole carriageway will be sealed off tonight from 8pm until 6am the following morning for further repairs to the walls.

Huge tailbacks were being reported from the Redbridge flyover back to Ashurst via Totton Bypass and Spicers Hill, and there were also delays on the A336 through West Totton.

It follows a car colliding with parapet at 10.26pm on Sunday night and causing substantial damage.

One person suffered minor injuries but they are not believed to have needed hospital treatment.

Motorists were caught in long delays this morning while contractors cordoned off the site and assessed the damage.

Temporary barriers and traffic management measures are in place to divert traffic from the damaged wall while a more robust containment solution is devised to allow workers to safely carry out the repairs.

The road will fully reopen from 6am on Wednesday but there will be two restricted width lanes with a temporary speed limit of 30mph in place.

These measures will remain until the structure is fully repaired.

Drivers are being urged to seek alternative routes into to the city including via Junction Three off the M27 on to the M271.