A SOUTHAMPTON driver has described the traffic on Redbridge Causeway - which he claims adds 40 minutes to his daily commute - as ‘horrendous’.

Malcolm Smith, from Sholing, is literally up in arms over how long it has taken for the works to be completed.

The 68-year-old, who works in Hythe as a quality engineer, said that as a result of the refurbishments his home time commute takes an extra forty minutes.

"This has to be the most pathetic bridge refurbishment in the history of bridge repairs," he said.

Previously, neighbours near the construction site have complained of loud overnight work at the causeway.

Hampshire County Council said the works are progressing well and should end in November.

READ MORE: 'It’s a living nightmare': Life under the Redbridge Causeway

As he spends a lot of time stuck in traffic, Malcolm claims to have seen workers at the bridge renovation site leaving their posts around 4pm.

He believes that more priority should be given to finishing the work and therefore workers should stay in their posts for longer, especially during the long summer days.

Daily Echo: Motorists can expect more traffic misery as Redbridge Causeway works start on May 1

Speaking to the Echo, the dad of five said: "The workers stop work around three thirty, four o’clock.

"I know that because I am in traffic when they stop that, and I don’t understand why they can’t keep working until later in the day, especially in the summer when it gets dark a lot later.

"The works are causing a lot of disruption and I don’t think there’s enough workforce to do it.

“What is the point of the road being closed if the workers are just going home halfway through the day?”

READ MORE: Faulty materials causing four weeks of traffic misery on Redbridge Causeway

Malcolm went on to describe the traffic at the end of the week as ‘horrendous’ when drivers pile up on Totton Bypass and queues of traffic go back to the Rushinghton Roundabout.

He said: “How much more do drivers have to suffer?

"Surely it needs to be a priority for [workers] to make sure the work is finished for the motorists.”

He added: “I have worked all around the world, and this wouldn’t happen in Germany, any other country would see the works at a bridge like that as a priority."

A Hampshire County Council spokesperson thanked road users for their patience and understanding while the final stage of the 'major refurbishment' is completed.

They explained that various works to upgrade sections of the bridge have been happening for a number of years and were divided into three sections.

The local authority said the £25 million scheme will keep the bridges, which carry around 60,000 vehicles a day, serviceable for at least another thirty years.

The spokesperson added: "Traffic arrangements to date have been essential for the engineers to be able to complete the repairs and renewal work safely while keeping the route open, albeit only partially at times.

“While it may appear that there are periods with little activity in the closed lane, time is often required between the various work stages to allow newly laid materials to set before the next stage can be carried out.

“At the same time, extensive works are being undertaken beneath the structures which may not be visible from the road above.

“On completion of the resurfacing work, the closures will be lifted. Some further, short-duration closures may still be required on the A35 over the Causeway between July and the end of November, however, and these will be widely publicised if they are needed.”