WORK on a scheme to remove temporary bus lanes on a busy Southampton road is due to begin tonight.

Bus lane markings on the A3024 Bitterne Road West will be removed over the next five nights between 8pm and 6am.

It will result in sections of the road being closed between Maybray King Way and Northam Bridge.

A city council spokesperson said: "The works are being carried out overnight to allow for the closures of this arterial route.

"Residents whose homes are within the closure will be allowed access but may be asked to wait until it is safe to enter and will be asked to follow safety guidelines while on-site, including sticking to a strict 5mph.

"For drivers wanting to go beyond the works, there will be a signed diversions routes. Please accept our apology for any disruption these works may cause."

In a statement issued last month the council it had been monitoring the impact of the bus lanes on travel times into and out of the city, as well as the public feedback.

The statement added: "With local traffic now expected to increase alongside the most recent easing of Covid-19 restrictions, we have taken the decision to remove the temporary lanes.

"We suspended the temporary bus lanes on Bitterne Road West from 1 June.

"Temporary signage advising of the suspension was placed on both eastbound and westbound lanes between Union Road and Maybray King Way.

"The previous bus lane between Princes Street and Britannia Road and at the Six Dials junction will remain as bus lanes and will not be part of the removal.

"Cyclists can continue to use the 'quietway cycle route' that runs through Bitterne before joining the existing shared use cycle paths along Northam River Bridge."