Eastern Road closure: Is the major road into Portsmouth closed today? Latest traffic updates as Southern Water repairs burst sewer

A major road in and out of Portsmouth has reopened after a five-day closure due to a burst sewer. Portsmouth City Council announced the reopening on social media, confirming that next week Southern Water will be working on Farlington Roundabout in preparation for further work to maintain a 200 meter section of the sewer pipe.

This work will not impact the traffic flows but future southbound closures are expected. One lane of Eastern Road was shut on Thursday 3 January while workers attempted to tackle the damage caused by a burst sewer main.

Southern Water then announced that the southbound carriageway from the roundabout up to Anchorage Road would be closed again from 8pm on Friday 5 January until Tuesday afternoon (9 January). The road is a major route into the city and has been closed several times recently due to similar issues that required fixing by the water company.

Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson, cabinet member for transport at Portsmouth City Council, has said: "It's really disappointing that it looks as if lack of investment over many years by Southern Water means that the sewers are not fit for purpose, and that they are bursting - causing real problems for local people." Delays are built up yesterday morning as people tried to find alternative routes. The traffic monitoring system reported delays on the A3M southbound between Waterlooville and the Havant bypass due to Eastern Road southbound being shut.

It was the third time the road has been closed by Southern Water within the past two months to repair leaks and the water company is now working with Portsmouth City Council on a plan for a longer-term solution. The council said: "Southern Water is putting plans in place for this next phase so their teams can work safely day and night to minimise the length of the next closure to Eastern Road southbound.”

The water company previously told National World's sister site The News in Portsmouth that “bursts have happened far too frequently” and have apologised to residents for the sewer problems on several occasions.