Work is continuing to fix flooding issues on the A31 near Ringwood after heavy rain and freezing temperatures this week.

Delays of nearly two hours have built up over the past few days as a result of the lane closure on the westbound carriageway.

A lane closure is expected to remain in place until at least Monday, National Highways have stated.

Live updates: Three miles of traffic on A31 as lane closed due to flooding repairs

The roads authority said earlier this week that machines brought in to carry out work at the site had been unable to operate “due to the extreme low temperatures”.

The lane closure has been in place westbound between the M27 for Southampton and the A338 near Ringwood since Tuesday morning.

Originally it was thought the issue was due to a burst water main, but it has now been confirmed as a drainage pipe problem.

Contractors have been on site for much of the week and a gulley sucker was used in an attempt to clear the water on Wednesday.

Read more: Machinery to fix A31 flooding 'wouldn't work in cold weather'

Bournemouth Echo:

Yesterday, contractors were back to repair the pipe.

The issue has been described as "complex".

A spokesperson said on Saturday: One lane (of two) remains closed on the A31 westbound between M27 #Southampton and the A338 near Ringwood whilst complex work is ongoing to increase capacity of the roadside drainage as a result of flooding in the area. The lane closure will be in place throughout the weekend."