“Urgent” Network Rail repairs saw Hamble Lane close at 8am, causing heavy congestion as cars were sent down Satchell Lane to complete a three-mile diversion for a 0.3-mile closure.
Residents described the traffic as “absolute carnage”, with cars at a “standstill” from Port Hamble Marina.
READ MORE: Gridlock in and out of village as major route closes – live
Traffic maps initially suggested that the urgent works would see the road closed until 4pm, but Hamble Lane was open to traffic again shortly after 10am.
National Rail issued a statement apologising for the disruption and noted the work was completed “much sooner than anticipated”.
A spokesperson for Network Rail said: “Our engineers needed to undertake some urgent work earlier this morning on the bridge over the railway at Hamble station, which has now been completed much sooner than anticipated.
“We’re sorry for any inconvenience this has caused to people’s journeys in the Hamble area.”
