The council is warning of possible congestion in roads near Town Quay on Friday, April 4 and Monday, April 7 when the Azura returns to port following a world cruise.

This will mean that thousands of cruise passengers will be making their way to and from Dock Gate 4 through the ongoing highway improvement works at Platform Road.

The busiest times are expected to be between 7:30am and 10am on both Friday and Monday around the southern part of the city coming in from the M271.

“If journeys to this part of the city are not essential drivers may wish to travel outside of the peak times or come into the city using a different route,” says Southampton City Council.

It says the cruise industry is vital to Southampton, with each ship generating over £2 million of trade for the local economy, and that once the nearby roadworks have been completed it will improve access to the Eastern Docks.

Photo under CC2 by Juan Ramon Rodriguez Sosa