MOTORISTS are set to face weeks of roadworks as the next phase of a major road improvement scheme in Southampton gets underway.

A new bus lane and a new cycle freeway are being created on the A3024 Bursledon Road.

The first phase of the Southampton City Council-led scheme started in February and the second in April.

The authority has now confirmed that more roadworks are planned for the £5.3m scheme.

Motorists are set for weeks of hold-ups as there will be a number of lane closures to re-new traffic signals, install new Toucan crossings and create a segregated footway and cycleway.

Work on Upper Deacon Road and Deacon Road junctions started yesterday and will continue for 12 weeks.

The junctions will be closed consecutively, starting with Upper Deacon Road and there will be temporary traffic signals on Bursledon Road at the junctions for the duration of the work. Signed diversion routes will also be in place.

On July 23 for six weeks, work will start on Hinkler Road and Carey Road junctions.

The existing footway will be removed to create a new one parallel to Carey Road.

An additional eastbound lane will be created on Bursledon Road and a new raised surface cycleway will be built on Carey Road, which will link to the new footway.

As a result, part of Hinkler Road will be closed to all traffic for the duration.

Part of Carey Road will be closed to all traffic from 19 August for one week.

Meanwhile, work on Gavan Street junction will start on July 23.

The work will include the renewal of the traffic signals, a new Toucan crossing and a continuous segregated footway/cycleway across the entrance to the retail park.

There will be lane closures on Bursledon Road, but the city council said access to the retail park will be maintained at all times. Temporary traffic signals will also be used in a bid to minimise disruption.

Cllr Jacqui Rayment, cabinet member for transport and place at Southampton City Council, said: “Please bear with us as we continue this important project to improve journey times along Bursledon Road for all road users. I would like to thank local residents and commuters for their patience and to reassure them that our Highways Partners at Balfour Beatty are doing everything they can to minimise disruption whilst carrying out the works safely. We have made really good progress so far against our plans and once this project is complete next year we’ll see the benefits of this investment and hard work.”