A DOCK gate in Southampton was closed last night due to an "unsafe structure".

Southampton City Council said it had been advised by ABP Southampton that Dock Gate 10 would be closed until today.

Drivers were advised to use dock gates eight or 20 to access the area if needed.

An ABP statement says: "The portal was struck by a vehicle at the end of last year causing damage that was subsequently made safe.

"On Sunday we received reports of possible fallen mortar from the structure which we are currently investigating.

"Structural engineers are on site assessing the portal and until these investigations are complete, Dock Gate 10 will be closed.

"We hope to reopen it later this week and until then Dock Gate 8 will be open to all incoming and outgoing traffic."

The closure comes after an archway at Dock Gate 10 was hit by a lorry in November.

As reported by the Daily Echo, port staff blocked off the road to allow engineers to inspect the structure and clear up the damage.

According to Historic England, which preserves historic and listed buildings, the gate was built between 1933 and 1934 by the Southern Railway Company.