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Southampton gridlocked as cruise ship checks cause delays

News imageBBC Rail bridge trafficBBC
Gridlocked traffic, seen here along Western Esplanade, is impacting drivers throughout Southampton

Extra security checks for cruise passengers caused mass disruption on roads in Southampton.

Gridlocked traffic has been impacting drivers as holidaymakers travel to the city's cruise ship terminals.

Southampton City Council said the congestion was due to Border Force carrying out impromptu security checks.

Balmoral, Britannia, MSC Virtuosa and Anthem of the Seas all docked in the city before 06:00 BST. The council said traffic was clearing by 15:00 BST.

All four ships are expected to depart between 16:00 and 18:00.

News imageWestern Esplanade traffic
The traffic has been caused by impromptu extra security checks at the port for cruise passengers

A spokesperson for the council said train strikes had also contributed to traffic in the city.

They said: "Border Force are carrying out impromptu security checks on all passengers which is slowing everything down and causing delays and congestion on the roads."

BBC South weather presenter Alexis Green said her journey to work, which usually takes 15 minutes, took two hours, causing her to miss a broadcast.

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News imageCruise ships
Four cruise ships have docked in Southampton and are expected to depart from 16:00 BST

The authority's social media account stated there was also a broken-down vehicle in Town Quay and an incident near the Itchen Bridge toll booths, which have both been cleared but contributed to delays.

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A Southampton City Council spokesperson said they were "yet to determine" when delays would ease

Hampshire County Council traffic information account ROMANSE confirmed "high volumes" of cruise passengers were expected.

Police urged people not to come to the city unless "absolutely critical".

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Buses have been backed up as they try to get through the congestion
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