MOTORISTS are bracing themselves for nearly a year of traffic chaos when the second set of major roadworks in 12 months gets under way on a busy Hampshire motorway today.

Contractors will start work on the M271 in Southampton for major improvements to widen lanes and increase capacity ahead of a new distribution centre being completed.

Drivers have been warned to expect delays until November for widening slip roads and installation of new traffic lights.

Politicians have slammed the timing of the works at the motorway’s junction one – which come just months after the completion of roadworks less than half a mile away at the M27 roundabout.

Hauliers are resigning themselves to dealing with the delays which they say will benefit the city in the long run.

Now highways chiefs have pledged to cause “minimal disruption” to drivers and residents.

The new-look junction aims to increase the motorway’ s capacity to support the giant new Lidl distribution centre which is rapidly taking shape beside the motorway.

The work will involve lane closures and overnight slip road closures.

But Councillor Don Thomas, who represents Coxford ward, said: “Is there no end to this? We’ve already gone through months of roadworks on this route and now more are starting. It seems there is no respite. Once again its going to be businesses and poor old Joe Public that will suffer. The work needs to be done but they need to stagger it out and take advantage of night works to get it done as quickly as possible.”

Gary Whittle, commercial director of Meachers Global Logistics in Nursling said the impacts of his drivers getting caught in jams will cost him up to £1,000 a day, and said: “It will have will have an impact on our efficiency, performance and profitability. But it’s a necessary evil. Yes it’s a pain but we can’t have growth in the region without improving infrastructure.”

Jonathan Williams of Williams Shipping in Millbrook said: “We welcome improvements but it comes as a cost of delays to hauliers. But when it’s on your doorstep you can make plans to avoid the worst of it.”

Highways England project sponsor Kat Saradinova said: “We have worked with the developers to ensure that any disruption to drivers and local residents is minimised. The M271 itself will remain unaffected and any slip road closures will be carried out overnight, when traffic flows are lowest.”

As previously reported critics claim the two sets of roadworks should have been carried out at the same time to reduce the chaos. But Southampton City Council bosses said that would have effectively “closed” the motorway – one of the main routes into the city.