MASSIVE tailbacks that spelled misery for commuters on the M27 yesterday morning 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.

One annoyed driver, Steve Single from Southampton, said: "Once again the M271/M27 lights are causing huge delays, while roads are quiet everywhere else!

Another added: "Enough's enough. We are sick of these lights - it's just one thing after another and we are being faced with continuous delays just trying to get into the city. The lights haven't helped at all they have just made things ten-times worse."

A spokesman for The Highways Agency, said: "The problems this morning were caused by a fault with the traffic lights.

Apology "The phasing on the lights developed a problem and engineers were despatched as soon as we knew the fault had occurred. We would like to apologise to motorists for any inconvenience suffered."

These latest delays are the start of what could be a long two years for drivers using the M27.

Works planned by The Highways Agency for the coming years includes a scheme to widen the motorway between junctions three and four, which is likely to cause major delays as traffic struggles against contraflows. The work is due to get under way next April and will take 15-months to complete.

Work is also due to start creating climbing lanes on the motorway near Portsmouth, again with the likelihood of major delays as lanes are closed to facilitate the work. This is due to start in early 2008 and will last for ten-months.

l More immediately, drivers will face two weeks of delays on the bridge over the M27 at Hedge End when work on strengthening the parapets begins this Monday, April 9.

Temporary traffic lights are due to be installed with one side of St John's Road bridge worked on at a time.

Highways Agency bosses say the work is due to be complete by April 23.