DRIVERS had a taste of the tailbacks they will face over the next week on one of Hampshire's busiest roads when it was closed as part of long-running repairs.

Traffic ground to a standstill in Southampton yesterday as engineers closed one of the main roads out of the city.

The westbound carriageway of Millbrook flyover, which has been undergoing running repairs since June, was closed during the day to allow concrete to be delivered to contractors working to shore up the bridge structure, as reported in later editions of yesterday's Daily Echo.

Despite warnings, traffic was left queuing back into the city centre from 9.30am when the closure took effect.

Traffic was diverted off Millbrook Road and around the roundabout before rejoining the A35 after the flyover.

Contractors re-opened the flyover by 3.30pm.

The same closure will be in place tomorrow and the eastbound carriageway into the city will be closed on Monday between 9.30am and 3.30pm.

Traffic was also delayed coming into Southampton yesterday afternoon after the inside lane of Millbrook Road West between Paynes Road and Foundry Lane was closed to allow for emergency repairs on a water main.

Traffic was also disrupted along the A35 in the north of the city when temporary traffic lights were put in place for emergency gas works at the junction with High Road in Swaythling.

The work was expected to continue today and motorists were advised to avoid the junction.