MOTORWAY roadworks which are predicted to cause traffic misery in Salisbury next month have been pushed back.

The £19million work on the M27 bridge project was due to take place from January 10 until January 13, forcing drivers to face a 55-mile detour.

Now, Highways England has confirmed the project will not begin until January 31, due to issues with their “supply chain”.

A spokesperson from Highways England added: “Letters are being sent shortly to inform residents and stakeholders accordingly.”

Salisbury Journal:

The work on the M27 is set to finish at 5am on Monday, February 3.

As previously reported, Highways chiefs have been accused of risking a repeat of the jams which hit Salisbury when a section of the M27 was closed last year as part of a £19million bridge replacement project outside of Southampton.

The 55-mile detour will see motorists heading west on the M27 will have to join the M3 and travel via Winchester, Andover and Salisbury before finally rejoining the motorway at Ower.

Salisbury Journal:

The same diversion was used during a similar weekend closure in September 2018.

At the time, Highway bosses were urged to rethink the diversion, and during a second M27 closure earlier this year westbound traffic only had to travel as far north as Winchester before doubling back via Romsey.

Highways England described the new routes as the "best possible arrangement".

The M27 - used by 140,000 vehicles a day - will once again be shut in both directions between junctions 3 and 4.