TRAFFIC chaos is set to descend on Fareham this month.

Drivers are being warned to expect lengthy delays during the replacement of the parapets on the Delme flyover. The essential works will bring the bridges up to modern standards.

It will mean lane closures on the A27 Eastern Way, on the approaches to the Quay Street roundabout, on the flyover itself and on the sliproads between February 11 and 27.

Hampshire's executive member for environment, Councillor Keith Estlin, admits the works are sure to cause disruption to drivers in the town.

He said: "The work will cause a significant level of disruption to drivers, although we're doing as much as we can overnight to keep delays to a minimum. The knock-on effect of this will be some disturbance to local residents, but we've endeavoured to strike the right balance

"Allow extra time for your journey. Work is being carried out to help ensure they reach their destinations on time."

"Aluminium parapets on bridges installed prior to 1994 are being replaced where necessary to bring them up to modern standards."

This scheme forms part of a £1.5 million Hampshire-wide programme.

From February 11 until February 19 one lane of the A27 Eastern Way over the flyover will be closed and there will be partial lane closures to sliproads of the Delme roundabout.

There will also be total closures of the A27 Eastern Way over the flyover on some nights yet to be decided from 11pm to 4am, as well as overnight lane closures on the Delme roundabout to keep workers safe.

The existing 40mph speed limit will be temporarily extended back to junction 11 of the M27. Between February 20 and 27, from the Quay Street roundabout towards junction 11 of the M27, the same applies on the northbound carriageway.

But the extension of the 40mph speed limit will be removed and there will be daytime off-peak closures to all approaches to and departures from the Quay Street roundabout.