THE CENTRE of Southampton has been gripped by road chaos today with miles of tailbacks in all directions.

Roadworks at the Redbridge roundabout have been the cause of the gridlock which has seen cars queuing as far back as Ashurst in a bid to get into the city while queues on the M271 have extended back to the M27.

Delays of over one hour can be expected on the southbound carriage way of M271 with reports of traffic backing up onto junction three of the M27 as vehicles trundle along the tarmac at an average speed of two miles an hour.

Alternative routes into city via Lordshill and Shirley are also gridlocked.

And further chaos can be expected when fans make their way to St Mary’s this afternoon when Saints play their home fixture to West Ham.

Works and diversions at the A35 Redbridge Causeway where it meets with the A33 Redbridge Road are the cause of the problem.

The eastbound entry slip road onto the A33 is also closed meaning traffic has to head to Totton and do a U-turn at the roundabout before heading back over the Redbridge flyover.

Over the Easter weekend there were similar chaotic scenes on every road leading to the junction because of the road works.

Major highway improvements including drainage works and the resurfacing of the roundabout and some of the slip roads will continue every weekend, from 8pm on Friday to 6am on Mondays, until May 3.

In a separate incident just before 2pm emergency services attended a three-car crash on the Cadnam to Lyndhurst Road which also led to long tailbacks. Injuries are not thought to be serious.