ONE of the main routes in to Southampton will be closed overnight for three weeks.

The works to the Redbridge Flyover are needed after an accident damaged its safety barriers.

The closures will start on Monday, with the entire inbound carriageway set to be closed between 8pm and 3am, Monday to Friday.

The accident in February resulted in the barriers becoming dislodged and steel ties pinning them to the bridge being bent.

Transport chiefs say extra temporary safety measures and lane width and speed restrictions have had to be put in place to keep it open up to this point.

Permanent repairs taking place will see a two ton section of the barrier replaced along with the steel ties.

The city council says the work will be noisy at times, but the noisiest work will take place early in the evening as much as possible.

John Harvey, Southampton City Council’s Highways Manager, said: “Redbridge Flyover is an important route into the city for residents and businesses, so it is essential that we fix this now.

"These essential repairs are being carried out at night to avoid the significant impact of day time closures on the city’s road network.”

Diversions will be in place throughout the course of the work.