A MAJOR Basingstoke roundabout has fully re-opened with a new layout following months of work.

The Black Dam Roundabout closure caused gridlock on the roads across the town over the weekend, when it completely closed for Highways England to finish surfacing work along with installing signals, signs, safety barriers and road markings.

It re-opened at 5am on Monday morning, although workers are still on site to complete landscaping and seeding work which will take place until the end of March, possibly resulting in some off-peak daytime lane closures.

As previously reported in The Gazette, the £11 million improvement works started in October 2014 and were initially due to be complete before the following summer.

Highways England announced in May 2015 that the project was behind schedule and would not be finished until October the same year.

But the company responsible for the scheme then announced that work would continue until the spring this year.

The re-opening on Monday was met with mixed reactions from drivers, who took to social media to express their shock that it is finally almost complete.

Lizzie Flynn posted on Twitter: "Anyone driving over black dam roundabout this morning...you're in for a shocker, it's basically done."

Beth added: "Actually in shock that they've finished black dam roundabout."

While Oliver's simply posted: "Black Dam confusing you too?"

The work was carried out to reduce congestion and improve the flow of traffic at the M3 Junction 6.

It was part of the national pinch-point programme, which forms part of the Government's growth initiative, outlined during the Chancellor's autumn statement in November 2011.

What do you think of the new layout? Let us know by commenting below.