WORK is set to start on a £1.8m park and ride scheme serving Southampton biggest hospital.

On January 4, Southampton City Council is to commence work on the major facility for University Hospital Southampton.

Work will start at the Coxford Road/Lord’s Hill Way junction and will deliver a number of improvements for people travelling by bus, bike, taxi and car.

The scheme will create a new rapid bus lane, allowing buses, taxis and cyclists turning left from Coxford Road towards Lordshill to completely bypass the signalised junction at Lord’s Hill Way.

By taking left turning buses, taxis and cyclists away from the traffic signals, this will also improve journey times for all vehicles using the junction.

Standard bus services operated by Southampton companies City Red and Bluestar are set to benefit from the scheme as well as buses travelling from the NHS Trust’s new 1,000 space Park and Ride facility set to open at Adanac Park in mid-2022.

The works follow a consultation with the local community and will be delivered by the council’s Highways Partners, Balfour Beatty Living Places, over approximately 21 weeks.

To carry the works out safely, the northbound lane on Coxford Road will be closed from the junction with Greywell Avenue to the junction with Lord’s Hill Way/Lordswood Road.

This closure will be in place for the duration of the works, with a diversion route in place for people leaving the hospital wishing to access Lord’s Hill Way/M271.

The diversion route will be via Warren Avenue and A35 Winchester Road. Southbound access towards the hospital will not be affected.