A VITAL entrance to Southampton is set for major structural work, which will take almost a year to complete.

Redbridge Causeway, used by 60,000 vehicles per day, needs immediate work, Hampshire County Council warns, with areas of the 50-year-old bridge rated as “very poor” by inspectors.

Now Hampshire Civic Chiefs have signed off on the restoration plans, which are estimated to cost £8.5 million.

Work is expected to start next summer on the bridge that connects the city to Totton and the New Forest.

The council says that the scheme is scheduled to take 52 weeks because it will be subject to several “complex constraints”, including high traffic flows, significant bus use, proximity to a Network Rail railway line, and two ancient monuments, as well as environmental orders.

Work has already been undertaken on the bridge, with the replacement of 21 carriageway joints as well as resurfacing work in November last year and February this year.

This resulted in the bridge being closed for an entire weekend, causing traffic misery for many.

But this new set of work isn’t set to shut the road, admit civic officers, but lane closures on the A35 may be required for some operations.

However, phased closures of Old Redbridge Road, which goes underneath the bridge, will be “necessary for repairs”.

They add that the issues with the structure were identified during routine bridge inspections and comprehensive testing over the past few years. This has shown that the Viaduct structure of the causeway is in the worst condition.

As a result, the council warns that unless significant repairs are carried out, traffic restrictions will need to be implemented on this important route, which may include weight restrictions and operating hours.

Currently the cash is being footed by the council, due to the priority that the works need to be undertaken.

But a grant bid to Transport for South East has been sent, with the authority hoping to use this money for the repairs. However, a response on the bid is still be awaited.

The authority adds that if the bid is unsuccessful, funds from other critical maintenance schemes will need to be “re-allocated” to cover these costs.