COMMUTERS should prepare for traffic chaos next week as two motorways close for maintenance work.

Overnight repair work will be carried out on the M271 into Southampton over six nights, starting Monday.

And commuters travelling to or from Portsmouth may also be affected by lane closures on the M275 between Tuesday and Thursday.

The work will be completed overnight when two lanes will be closed, but one lane will remain closed during the day, causing traffic to be heavier than usual.

Council bosses are advising motorists to avoid the M275 next week, particularly in peak times while Colas completes waterproofing work on the northbound carriageway to strengthen the bridges.

In Southampton, the repairs will involve giving the carriageway a new high friction surface that will improve skid resistance.

The overnight repair work will take place on the M271 southbound between junction 3 of the M27 and junction 1 of the M271 on August 19, 20 and 28 between 10pm and 6am.

Traffic will be diverted on to the M271 north of M27, A3057 Romsey Road and Brownhill Way. On the M271 northbound it will be carried out between the A35 Roundabout and junction 3 of the M27 on August 21, 22 and 29 between 10pm and 6am.

Traffic will be diverted on to the A3057 Romsey Road and M271 north of M27.