ROADWORKS are to begin on one of Southampton's busiest roads today.

Motorists face up to three weeks of hold-ups while repairs take place on the badly worn Bitterne Road from the middle section of Northam Bridge to Hawkeswood Road.

During the first two weeks the outbound carriageway will be reduced to one lane from Northam Bridge to Englefield Road.

During the final week, the outbound carriageway will be closed completely with traffic diverted via a coned contraflow system on the inbound carriageway from Union Road to Rampart Road which will restrict traffic flow in both directions.

Throughout the duration of the contraflow, all right turns along the section will be banned with diversion routes also put in place.

The £43,000 scheme, which will also see footpath repairs along the road and forms part of an £18m city council project to upgrade Southampton's main arteries over the next five years.

The ambitious programme will see hundreds of thousands of pounds spent on repairing roads and footpaths in the city in this year alone.

Highlights of the programmes include a £1m scheme to repair Millbrook flyover and resurfacing work at Western Explanade, Civic Centre Hill and Havelock Road costing £150,000 which is due to take place in August.

Other road repair schemes in the city this year include a £137,000 footpath and carriageway project at Romsey Road in November.

City highways bosses are advising drivers to avoid using Bitterne Road if possible during the next three weeks.

For more information, please contact Actionline on 0800 519 1919.