A MOTORIST has been arrested after an accident left a cyclist fighting for his life and caused traffic misery for commuters this morning.

The collision was between a bike and an Orange Fiat Punto and it happened opposite the Millbrook Star filling station shortly after 7.20am.

The 27-year-old cyclist suffered serious head injuries and he was rushed to Southampton General Hospital by ambulance with a police escort.

He has since been transferred to the neurological intensive care unit at the hospital.

The 29-year-old female motorist has been arrested on suspicion of inflicting GBH. She was uninjured in the collision.

Both the cyclist and the motorist are from Southampton.

The inbound carriageways Millbrook Road West and Terbourba Way reopened shortly after 11am this morning, after being closed since just before 7.30am.

Traffic had been queuing back to the motorway causing huge problems for commuters throughout the morning.