MASSIVE tailbacks that spelled misery for commuters on the M27 today were the result of a fault in controversial traffic lights, highways chiefs have admitted.

The breakdown of the lights left thousands of motorists facing delays of up to an hour after a phase problem with the system delayed drivers pulling off the westbound motorway at junction 3.

The fault compounded problems motorists have been facing since the introduction of traffic lights at the junction with the M271 two weeks ago.

Highways Agency chiefs say the decision to install the lights came after a survey showed putting lights at the top of the westbound slip road would ease congestion.

However since their introduction scores of angry motorists have written into The Daily Echo to complain about the new system and question why the authorities felt the need to put up the lights in the first place.

Yesterday's fault, said a spokesman for The Highways Agency, was caused by a 'phase' issue with the lights meaning they were staying at red for too long for drivers coming off the motorway.

The problem left queues stretching back to the M3 five-miles away, while traffic also built up on the M27 back to junction five at Southampton Airport.