A MAIN inner-city Southampton road is to be shut for five days next week as a bike lane is removed.

Work will take place on Hill Lane between Bellemoor Road and Burgess Road from Monday.

Southampton City Council says it will take "approximately" five days and it will require a full road closure between those two junctions from Tuesday.

This will mean the road will be shut off between 9am and 6pm every day.

Diversions will be in place.

Those living on the road "with no alternative access" to their homes, will still be able to use the road if they speak to a member of the crew.

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The authority also said the works are weather dependant and "so the date  is subject to change", adding: "However, we will endeavour to meet the proposed schedule. Advanced warning signs erected on site will advise of any start dates closer to the time."

The news comes as at the end of last year civic chiefs announced that the temporary cycle lane was going to be removed following a decline in the number of people cycling and reduced social distancing pressures in The Common.

People cycling north of Bellemoor Road can continue to use the off-road alternatives running alongside Hill Lane in The Common.

Meanwhile, the trial of the the 1.3km of cycle lanes between Bellemoor Road and Archers Road will remain in place.

The schemes were launched  last year as part of the measures taken to ensure social distancing and encourage people to cycle during the first national lockdown.

But as reported some of them proved to be controversial with some residents calling for some of the temporary cycle lanes in the city to be removed.

Cllr Steve Leggett, cabinet member for green city, said the schemes were "effective" and the council had received "positive feedback" from local residents.