Work starts today on controversial plans to put 30 traffic lights on a Southampton roundabout.

Motorists have been warned to expect possible delays as work on the Millbrook roundabout gets underway.

Under the plans Southampton City Council wants to install ten traffic lights, with two lights each at five different points.

And ten "toucan" crossings - with two traffic lights each - for cyclists and pedestrians are to be put at the roundabout's five approaches and five exits.

During the roadworks local diversion signs will be put up and a temporary 30mph limit will be introduced on Millbrook Road (including the flyover), Redbridge Road and Tebourba Way.

Fears have been raised by the Association of British Drivers that the lights could cause permanent traffic jams.

The AA has already named Southampton as the fourth slowest moving city in the country with average road speeds of 17.8mph - just behind London.

As part of the scheme roads are also to be resurfaced and new pedestrian and cycle paths introduced.

A council spokesman said that "every effort" would be made to keep disruption to a minimum, with some of the £2m scheme being carried out overnight.

The city council has pledged to invest £22m this year on a range of mainly transport-related projects, including maintenance works for Millbrook and Redbridge flyovers.