MOTORISTS are facing major delays due to a gas leakin the heart of Southampton today.

Drivers have been warned to seek alternative routes as Royal Crescent Road and Saltmarsh Road has been closed due to the leak.

Due to the closure of Central Bridge, Royal Crescent Road is one of just two roads that can be used to get on to the Itchen Bridge, the other one is Albert Road North.

From 7am today, one south facing lane will be open and Southern Gas will decide whether to keep it open for the rest of the day once the rush of work traffic has passed.

A team from Southern Gas Networks are currently at the scene and making repairs and traffic is being diverted.

A council officer who deals with the Southampton Highways Service Partnership, said: “We are monitoring the situation and drivers are advised to seek alternative routes.”

“It is a gas leak and it is very important to get this sorted out as quickly as possible.”

First Bus say several of their services including the 3,11,5,6,X4 and X5 will be affected and they will be diverted via Albert Road North, Elm Terrace and Canute Road and they warned there may be 'severe' traffic delays tonight.

A First Spokesman said: “We are our customers to be patient and bear with us as this will have an impact on our services.”

Southern Gas Networks have said that to alleviate traffic during rush hour tomorrow morning, they will be opening one southbound lane to motorists.