A HUGE blaze at the western gateway to Southampton is causing traffic chaos across the city.

Roads near the Nissan garage beside the Redbridge roundabout are closed and traffic on the nearby M271 has also been affected.

Diversions have been set up and are likely to remain in place for some time.

Redbridge Road, the Redbridge roundabout and the Redbridge flyover are closed outbound, and the Redbridge Causeway is shut in both directions.

All outbound traffic from Southampton is being diverted away from Mountbatten Way.

According to the Southampton Travel twitter feed, no traffic is being allowed to travel outbound on Mountbatten Way, Millbrook Road West, Redbridge Road and Redbridge Causeway. Drivers are being urged to avoid the area and find an alternative route.

At one point traffic in the M271 between Redbridge and the M27 was reported to be at a standstill.

The blaze is also causing problems for drivers attempting to reach Southampton from the New Forest, including the Totton, Ashurst and Waterside areas.

Public transport in the Southampton area has also been badly affected.

In a statement the Bluestar bus company said: "Redbridge Roundabout and Causeway has been closed in both directions due to a fire close to the dual carriageway of the A35 at Redbridge.

"All Bluestar Services 6, 8, 9, 11, 12 and our sister company Salisbury Red's X7/X7R are on a diversion.

"Services will be diverted via Regents Park Road, Romsey Road, Brownhill Way, M271 Northbound, M27 Westbound to Junction 2 (A326 Ower).

"Bluestar 6, 8, 11, 12 and Salisbury Reds X7/X7R will divert then via A36 Salisbury Road into Totton. Continue down to Totton Precinct and back on normal route from St Theresa's Church (Outside of Lidl/Argos).

"Bluestar 9 will continue down the A326 to the A35 at Spicers Hill. Then, will turn down Rumbridge St, Eling Lane/Batts Corner, Rose Rd to Rushington Roundabout.

"This diversion is in place in both directions.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused. We will give you an update when we have it.

Thank you for your cooperation."

The garage is close to the railway lines which link Southampton with Totton and Romsey but South Western Railway said services had not been affected.