OVERRUNNING roadworks caused traffic chaos on one of Southampton's busiest roads.

Rush hour motorists were caught in tailbacks stretching back into the city centre after engineers were forced to close the westbound Millbrook flyover to make emergency repairs to a collapsed manhole.

Both lanes were shut throughout yesterday to allow the repairs to be carried out.

Southampton City Council had said the closure would be lifted by 3pm to minimise disruption to commuter traffic.

However, the road remained closed until 5pm because the new road surface was not dry in time.

A council spokesman said: "Large steel plates were laid over the area where the work was being done as a temporary overnight measure, but the surfacing laid over those plates took longer to dry than expected.

"It had to be dry before traffic could be allowed to use the road."

Traffic was reported queuing back beyond West Quay Road as motorists were being diverted underneath the flyover, round the roundabout and back on to the A35 Millbrook Road.

The flyover was already subject to speed restrictions and narrow lanes due to ongoing roadworks to strengthen the bridge. Traffic looks set to be disrupted again today when the repairs on the manhole resume. City planners say the westbound road will again be closed from 9.30am, after the morning rush hour, and work should be completed by 3pm.

A City Council spokesman said engineers were taking the opportunity to repair another nearby manhole that was also showing signs of collapsing.

He added that the emergency work had prompted a survey of manholes along the route.

A programme of repairs and strengthening work will now be drawn up to reduce the likelihood of the situation happening again.