MOTORISTS face months of traffic disruption as work starts on a multi-million pound project to regenerate Tipner.
Portsmouth City Council has confirmed work will begin on the new Tipner interchange on the M275 next month.
The work requires the narrowing of lanes and workforce speed limits will be reduced from mid-January until that stage of work is completed in the autumn.
A temporary speed limit of 50mph will be in place for traffic entering the city and will continue to just north of Tipner Lake Bridge when it will become 40mph.
Traffic leaving the city will have a 40mph zone before entering the 50mph limit just north of the bridge.
The limits will be enforced using average speed cameras.
Some footpaths in Tipner will be closed at various times during the work, but an alternative route will always be made available.
It comes after the council was awarded £19.5m by the Department for Transport to build a new motorway junction on the M275, accompanied by a park and ride service and a southbound bus priority lane. The money will go alongside more than £8.5m the council is investing in the project.
Simon Moon, the authority’s head of transport and environment, said: ‘With people working on the M275 and narrow lanes in place it is a necessity that we reduce the speed limit.
‘This way we are able to keep all lanes open and minimise inconvenience.
‘While we’re keen to push ahead with the regeneration of Tipner, residents’ wellbeing is always our greatest concern. This is the best way to keep everyone safe and we appreciate motorists’ cooperation during this time.’
Cllr Ken Ferrett, city councillor for the Nelson ward, said: ‘People in Tipner have to be a little bit patient because it’s a massive project. They are keen for it to progress as soon as possible.’
The Highways Agency said projects are planned carefully to keep traffic moving.
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