FINALLY there could be an end in sight to the misery of one of Southampton's longest running road repair sagas - and this time it is not a false dawn!

For almost two-and-a-half years cones have lined the Mountbatten Way flyover near Millbrook while planned repairs to the road bridge's parapets started then stalled, then started and stalled again.

Now September - just five months away - has been inked-in as the month when repairs will at last be completed.

The news comes after Southampton City Council announced they had secured an additional £350,000 to complete the work.

A spokesman for the City Council said: "Current works to the Mountbatten Way rail bridge parapets are finishing ahead of schedule. The extra works will follow on as a smooth transition and single lane closures will remain on each carriageway.

"Repairs are scheduled for completion in September, 2003.

"To ensure continuing protection to the working area the 30mph speed limit will remain in force."

A number of false dawns have predicted the end to the repairs, which were originally needed after a car veered off the road damaging the parapets in December 2000.

With one lane closed in each direction drivers continually faced delays on the busy commuter route that carries 60,000 vehicles a day.

For the whole of the first year there was not a workman in sight and 30mph speed restrictions remained while council officials wrangled with railway bosses over who was responsible for the repairs.

In May last year the 17-month stand-off ended after a meeting between the two sides resulted in the city council agreeing to stump up £350,000 for the work.

The £350,000 funding for the remaining repairs, which will not cause any extra disruption, has come from central government as part of the 2003/2004 Local Transport Plan.

Spokesman Rebecca Rees for the Hampshire-based motoring organisation the AA was pleased that it finally looked as though an end was in sight.

"It is a shame it has taken so long," she said.

"There is finally a light at the end of the tunnel. Obviously there will be a few problems while the work is carried out.

"Motorists have just wanted the work done regardless of whose responsibility it was and that is something that should have been sorted out long ago.

"At last it looks as though it is coming to an end."

For further information contact Southampton City Information on 023 8083 3333.