MOTORISTS face an autumn of road-work misery across Hampshire.

A major scheme lined up for the M27 next month is expected to bring traffic chaos for Hampshire commuters.

Contraflow systems will be in place between Nursling and Eastleigh during preliminary works for a £3.5 million pilot traffic-staggering scheme.

And that is just the start of it.

The project, due to begin around September 20, is among a series of roadwork schemes scheduled to bring chaos to the county's car-riageways this autumn.

Hampshire's roads to hell include:

The M3 at Martyr Worthy north of junction nine, where a six-week scheme to construct a motorway service area junction starts around September 13

The busy A31 across the New Forest, where three months of resurfacing work is due to start in September

The A32 between Fareham and Gosport, where a 14-week repair scheme is already under way

Swanwick Lane at Swanwick, where a six-month improvement package starts tomorrow.

The Highways Agency says the latest scheme on the M27 between junctions three and five involves essential preliminary maintenance work. Cables will be laid and other work carried out before controversial traffic lights are installed on the motorway slip-roads in a bid to ease congestion.

Highways chiefs say the system, known as ramp metering, will be used to stop vehicles joining the trunk roads when they are busy.

A spokeswoman for the Highways Agency said the M27 scheme was due to start around September 20 and would last for about three months.

Today AA experts said contraflows were the most effective method of dealing with major roadwork schemes but warned accidents were more likely.

Spokeswoman Rebecca Rees said: "Obviously the cones will mean delays but hopefully the long-term effect will be a better deal for drivers.

"The nature of ramp metering has come about because our roads are so congested and, although not ideal, we accept something has to be done." But it isn't all bad news for motorists.

Southampton City Council has announced roadworks on West Quay Road will be completed by Wednesday, in time for the opening of Southampton Boat Show.

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