A COUNCILLOR has called for highways bosses to reveal the diversion routes set to be used during the upcoming closure of the M27 – to help residents avoid another weekend of “traffic chaos”.

Roads around Romsey were left in gridlock when Highways England closed the M27 in September last year, as part of a scheme to replace Romsey Road Bridge.

North Baddesley was one of the worst hit areas, with eastbound traffic being diverted off at junction three, through the village along the A27, and out at junction five for Eastleigh.

But highways bosses are yet to announce a diversion route for the next stage of the works, which will see the M27 closed between junction three and five from 10pm on  June 28 to 5am on July 1.

Now Test Valley Borough Councillor for North Baddesley, Celia Dowden, to call on Highways England to release the routes, to give residents time to plan.

She said: “They need to give people plenty of notice.

“I appreciate it is not an easy task but I think they should be letting people know to give people time to prepare.”

Councillor Dowden, who described the impact of the previous closure as “chaos”, also called on highways chiefs to look at alternative diversion, including sending traffic through Ampfield.

Highways bosses meanwhile say they are discussing with stakeholders, to ensure the diversion routes at the end of June will be different from those in place in September last year.

A spokesman for Highways England told the Daily Echo: “We’re still planning for a closure the weekend of 28 June.

“We will disclose more details when we can.”

As reported the motorway was set to be closed at the end of April but the closure was cancelled due to “unforeseen ground conditions”.

The work is part of a £19m scheme to knock down and replace the Romsey Road Bridge which carries the A3057 over the M27 between Upton and Nursling.

It comes after the highways bosses found the bridge had cracks in the concrete beams.

The new bridge will have a lifespan of 120 years.

Another closure of the M27 between junction three and five is expected between October 18 and 21. The project is set to be completed in January 2020.