WINCHESTER’S one-way system will be closed overnight tonight while 'urgent' work is carried out.

As previously reported, a lane closure has been in effect on St George’s Street while Openreach completes work for British Telecom.

However, the work, to replace a collapsing cover in the carriageway near where Southern Water worked earlier this month, has proven to be more difficult than expected, requiring the road to be closed to be completed.

The one.network information site describes the job as "Urgent BT lane closure".

READ MORE: Winchester one-way system to see traffic chaos over new road works

The move, imposed with little warning, caused disruption for many journeys with people complaining on social media about long diversions out of the city centre onto the M3 and back into Winchester through St Cross.

The photo by Stefan Barbu shows the closure of the one-way system at King Alfred's statue, to stop vehicles entering the one-way system.

James Richardson posted on Winchester Rants Facebook page: "Total chaos. We were in Town this evening, and needed to get across town to near the University. We ended up going on to the M3 south at Winnall coming off at the Twyford junction and heading back via St Cross. Grrrrr......"

St George's Street road is closed from 8pm this evening, Thursday, February 1 to 6am on Friday, February 2, with a diversion route yet to be confirmed.

Hampshire Chronicle:

On X, previously known as Twitter, Hampshire Highways posted: “Works to repair the collapsing cover will be undertaken tonight between 20:00-06:00.

“Due to the complexities of the works location, diversion route is to be confirmed.”