MOTORISTS and businesses are celebrating after one of the busiest routes between South-ampton and the West Country reopened following roadworks two days early.

At 7pm yesterday the signs and cones were cleared away on the A36 at West Wellow, much to the relief of thousands of Hampshire motorists who were faced with 20-mile diversions.

The news has also delighted businesses along the one-mile stretch between Plaitford and Canada Common, who claim to have lost thousands of pounds in trade since work to rebuild the carriageway started on April 8.

They held their own unofficial reopening party outside Golden Acres Nurseries - using garden shears to cut a ribbon.

Highways Agency project sponsor Ron Davies said: "The road carries several thousand vehicles a day, and by doing this long-term repair it has been substantially rebuilt with the greatest benefit being the new, quieter surface."

Simon Edwards, retail general manager at Golden Acres Nurseries, is now counting the cost of the closure.

He said: "Hurrah! It's brilliant news it's open a few days early because it gives people a chance to realise we are still here before what should be a very busy weekend.

"Our takings were about 35 per cent below what we would have expected.''

Sarah Smith of Wellow Cars said: "We're very pleased - reopening the road could never be soon enough."