THE era of the traffic cone in Southampton could finally be over with the last of the major roadworks to improve access into West Quay ending.

Councillor Paul Russell moved aside the cones and roadworks signs and declared the new improved West Quay Road fully open yesterday.

The road has been clogged with workmen for nearly a year after West Quay developer Hammerson and the city council stumped up £7.3m to improve access into the soon-to-be finished new shopping mall.

Portland Terrace, closed for 22 months while building work started on the mall, was also opened to north-bound traffic.

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