MOTORISTS are being warned to avoid a busy slip road in Southampton this morning after a major gas pipe was damaged last night.

Firefighters from Redbridge and Totton were alerted at 10.06pm after contractors went through a gas main at the Redbridge Roundabout western slip road, where the M271 and A35 meet.

Hampshire police were also called to the broken pipe at 9.42pm.  

Now emergency repairs have caused the slip road to be closed until further notice.

The works have caused delays to build in Millbrook Road West, where traffic is heading outbound, and at the Totton Bypass where motorists are heading inbound. 

Drivers are being urged to plan their journey after being alerted at 7.18am to the closed slip road; a signed diversion is now in place.

Firefighters left the scene at 1.48am this morning after checking "everything was safe" before handing work over to Southern Gas Network, according to a spokesperson from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.

A spokesperson from Hampshire police said: "We were called at 9.42pm following damage to a gas main. 

"The incident is now being dealt with by the gas company and Highways."

A spokesperson from Southern Gas Network said: "We're carrying out emergency repairs in the M271 Redbridge Road, Southampton following third party damage to our gas network.

"The westbound slip road was closed overnight by Highways England for scheduled maintenance work.

"It will remain closed into Wednesday 5 February as we work to complete our repair."

They added: "It's too soon to say how long our repair will take at this stage."

South Central Ambulance has been contacted for comment.