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End to misery is demanded by motorway drivers
3:34pm Friday 16th May 2008
IT has become a waking nightmare on a daily basis.
Long tailbacks and lengthy delays have become a regular part of the journey to and from work for Hampshire commuters using the M27 and the queues of cars have become a hotspot for accidents which only aggravate the problem.
Watch the misery faced by thousands of motorists each morning.
Now angry motorists are urging highway bosses to speed up the roadworks between junctions 3 and 4, the major route linking Southampton to the M3.
Fed-up drivers have demanded that the Highways Agency finish the 15-month project as early as possible before they are projected to end in May 2009.
The widening scheme is being carried out while £18m climbing lanes for slow vehicles are being installed further along the M27 at junctions 11 near Fareham and 12 at Portsmouth.
Problems escalating on surrounding routes, including the M271 which joins the M27 at junction three for Nursling, have also been reported as causing delays of more than an hour for traffic heading out of the city during the morning commute to work.
Denis Hilditch, of drivers' charity Southampton Advanced Motorists, described rush-hour conditions on the motorway as horrendous.
He said: "I really hope that the Highways Agency are pulling out all the stops to get the work done as soon as possible to end this misery. For the sake of the motorists I hope that the work doesn't last as long as proposed.
"One of the things that gets people really annoyed is when we have to face these delays and there are clearly no workmen doing anything.
"It's not the fault of the workmen there but more the disorganisation of the whole thing. Why can't they carry out more work at night and more people working to get it done faster."
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Southampton
Businesses in Southampton are also suffering from unpredictable delays brought on by the roadworks which the Highways Agency warn drivers to expect hold-ups of 15 to 20 minutes while the work continues.
Nick Farthing, chairman of the Southampton and Fareham Chamber of Commerce's planning and transport committee said: "Unfortunately it only takes one small incident to cause significant traffic problems in both directions and so the sooner the work is completed the better."
A spokesman for Nurslingbased haulage company Meachers Transport added: "The roadworks on the M27 are a real problem. They are causing more and more traffic backing up along the M271. We are lucky because our lorries are sent out from early in the morning until late at night, but the roadworks have still affected us quite a lot."
Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne agrees. He said: "I would urge the Highways Agency to reexamine the programme for this work so that it doesn't cause such a massive inconvenience for people trying to get to and from work."
He added that many businesses were having extra costs imposed on them because workers were being held up in the unpredictable traffic conditions.
"If the Highways Agency can pay a bit more to get the job done quickly and at times when it is not causing more problems then I think it would be money well spent," he said.
The Highways Agency defended the 15-month project which is on schedule and within the £36m budget.
A spokesman urged drivers to be patient during the work which is being carried out to ease congestion on the route.
He said: "There is some work that we are doing at night now.
However, much work is noisy and not helpful to nearby residents if done at night.
"Work of this kind is completed more safely if carried out during the day."
"On this scheme we typically work from 7am to 7pm during the week and from 7am to 12pm on Saturday. The contractor will be making more on the extended daylight hours during the summer period."
Your Say YourEcho
Shazza, says...
9:49am Fri 16 May 08
toxteth o'grady wrote:I too travel the length of the M27 at around 7:00am and 6:00 pm and think it is no worse than before.
I travel through these roadworks westbound each morning anytime from 6-30 to 8-30 & persdonally, although I think these roadworks are a complete waste of time, i rarely have any trouble going through them. In fact I would say reducing the speeds to 50 makes the traffic flow better than before the works were there. Eastbound in the evening also no problems.
Unlike Toxteth I think the extra lane will improve things.
How can people relaistically expect them to accelerate works and push the budget through the roof when belts are tightening in the current economical climate? Anyway the HA are hardly going to re-work their budget just because of a few mardy motorists.
GET A GRIP!
Christoff, says...
9:55am Fri 16 May 08
The real problems occur when there is an accident or breakdown.
Jasper, wimborne says...
9:59am Fri 16 May 08
Jasper, wimborne says...
9:59am Fri 16 May 08
Angry Driver, New Forest says...
10:17am Fri 16 May 08
Road Runner, says...
10:20am Fri 16 May 08
I guess we'd then have "misery, crisis, nightmare" stories about the weather.
Christoff, says...
10:21am Fri 16 May 08
Road Runner wrote:I haven't seen a traffic story for ages, to be fair.
Where would the Echo be without a daily road "misery, crisis, nightmare" story? I guess we'd then have "misery, crisis, nightmare" stories about the weather.
And I spend more time on here than most!
Steve, Eastleigh says...
10:59am Fri 16 May 08
However, don't try going through at 11am on a sunny Saturday...
Andy, Locks Heath says...
11:09am Fri 16 May 08
Joe, says...
11:13am Fri 16 May 08
We have now a continuing fuel crisis, with price, and environmental problems as well.
I have expressed my opinion some other time about too many people speeding as a habit. There is a need for a political initiave to invite all drivers to stay wihin a reasonable speed limit. Too many drivers are over the 70 mph speed limit already. There should be a campaign to encourage people "not drinking" their fuel unnecerarely. It would save their money and help the environment.
60 mph is a good speed in ordinary circumstances on motor way, I suggest, unless there is an urgency to go faster.
toxteth o'grady, says...
11:52am Fri 16 May 08
gorf, soton says...
11:56am Fri 16 May 08
maybe they could get some signs prior to the split for the M27 on the M3 - the current signs tell you to get in lane when its too late!
Morris Minor, says...
12:01pm Fri 16 May 08
I am not convinced that they actually work.
Shazza, says...
12:05pm Fri 16 May 08
toxteth o'grady wrote:Can't agree with you here Toxteh, us Audi drivers are the best in the world.
Another point...apart from yesterdays motorcycle crash, there does seem far less accidents with the lower speed limit No Audi / BMW drivers braking at 90 mph & cutting across at 3 lanes to exit on to the M271 !!
Thoroughly nice people too!
cruger, upndownM27 says...
12:53pm Fri 16 May 08
Well done toxteth and all the others, at last some genuine people ready to discuss issues instead of tedious jokes by the same old people.
I have to agree with the 50 mile an hour restriction, the traffic runs smoother. I have noticed drivers doing 80 - 90 mile an hour and leave it to the last minute before braking because they know where the yellow cameras are positioned, which can causes a lot of problems. I too wonder wether these cameras are working as usually the Daily Echo would have a story by now informing us of the number of drivers cuaght for speeding.
Anyone been caught yet?
Not yet, New Forest says...
1:15pm Fri 16 May 08
Les Point, says...
1:20pm Fri 16 May 08
I have noticed drivers doing 80 - 90 mile an hour and leave it to the last minute before braking because they know where the yellow cameras are positionedThis seems a bit pointless as they are average speed cameras :/
Jo, says...
1:23pm Fri 16 May 08
You will never see contractors working after dark or at weekends any more,
I went past the raodworks Wednesday evening at 8pm and back again about 10.30pm and both times they were working. I have not seen then at weekends though.
cruger, - says...
1:44pm Fri 16 May 08
Les Point wrote:Sorry, I meant they speed 80 - 90 miles an hour until just before they get to the first set of yellow cameras then they brake hard to 50 miles an hour and continue at 50 mph through the speed cameras.
I have noticed drivers doing 80 - 90 mile an hour and leave it to the last minute before braking because they know where the yellow cameras are positionedThis seems a bit pointless as they are average speed cameras :/
Christoff, says...
2:34pm Fri 16 May 08
Not yet wrote:they are definately speed cameras but they don't appear like the normal ones as they are average speed cameras. I am sure I heard a story somewhere that the ones on the M27 stretch can't be enforced because they positioned them incorrectly, that maybe why nobody appears to have been caught yet?....However I could be wrong so don't start caning it through them!! Joking aside, I do actually think the narrow lanes and 50 limit has made the section safer and more free flowing.
Nope! Sadly i have gone over 50mph a few times and never had a ticket, I think the yellow camera's are to keep an eye on the road accidents, breakdown etc! i'm sure there is no sign's to say they are speed camera's, although i could be wrong... I shall look on my way home.
Wills, says...
2:35pm Fri 16 May 08
Adrian Smith, says...
2:52pm Fri 16 May 08
Christoff wrote:That was only at the Fareham roadworks, not the ones at this end of the motorway.
Not yet wrote: Nope! Sadly i have gone over 50mph a few times and never had a ticket, I think the yellow camera's are to keep an eye on the road accidents, breakdown etc! i'm sure there is no sign's to say they are speed camera's, although i could be wrong... I shall look on my way home.they are definately speed cameras but they don't appear like the normal ones as they are average speed cameras. I am sure I heard a story somewhere that the ones on the M27 stretch can't be enforced because they positioned them incorrectly, that maybe why nobody appears to have been caught yet?....However I could be wrong so don't start caning it through them!! Joking aside, I do actually think the narrow lanes and 50 limit has made the section safer and more free flowing.
Christoff, says...
3:06pm Fri 16 May 08
Adrian Smith wrote:ah, ta
Christoff wrote:That was only at the Fareham roadworks, not the ones at this end of the motorway.Not yet wrote: Nope! Sadly i have gone over 50mph a few times and never had a ticket, I think the yellow camera's are to keep an eye on the road accidents, breakdown etc! i'm sure there is no sign's to say they are speed camera's, although i could be wrong... I shall look on my way home.they are definately speed cameras but they don't appear like the normal ones as they are average speed cameras. I am sure I heard a story somewhere that the ones on the M27 stretch can't be enforced because they positioned them incorrectly, that maybe why nobody appears to have been caught yet?....However I could be wrong so don't start caning it through them!! Joking aside, I do actually think the narrow lanes and 50 limit has made the section safer and more free flowing.
Jasper, wimborne says...
3:25pm Fri 16 May 08
Jo wrote:I regularly drive through the roadworks early on a Sunday morning and have seen them working.
You will never see contractors working after dark or at weekends any more,I went past the raodworks Wednesday evening at 8pm and back again about 10.30pm and both times they were working. I have not seen then at weekends though.
paul b, says...
3:35pm Fri 16 May 08
I appears that two people from the echo set out in a car to take a video of the queues. They drove from the echo offices, down the m271 towards Romsey, over the M27, back onto the M271, down to the roundabout at the Romsey Golf club, then qued back up the M271 to head back towards the echo offices.
THIS IS APPALING
ron westcott, bassett southampton says...
4:19pm Fri 16 May 08
How much is this fiasco of working "office" hours costing the local economy?
As regards the clock them in clock them out camera's typical Big Brother. If they are needed why not only when there is work actually going on?. Double persecution of the motorist. Mind you what do you expect in Hants Police area?
Roll on the new iniative when the Police are accountable to "local" people not the gong hangers on on the Police Authority. Jobs for the boys. No wonder our "ego" Head Constable is retiring. Good bye and mind the step on the way out my Council Tax bill doesn't reflext your poor performance.
paul b, says...
4:28pm Fri 16 May 08
You moan about it being gridlock then you moan about average speed cameras.
How are these going to bother you if its gridlock?
colliwobbles, scummer says...
4:31pm Fri 16 May 08
Yellow peril cameras are determining your average speed from point entry to point exit in addition to the globe type that are monitoring traffic. They are number plate recognition cameras therefore no blue lights are needed penalty points and fine drop through your letter box (if they are truly operational) My guess is they are there to as a deterrent although I'm not going to risk it.
another note is during my rush hour trip from J5 to J3 average speed 40 mph and less than 5 mins.
The tarmac being laid along the central res is possibly for the same reason as fareham to po~~~y it will alow the traffic to continue to flow so they can concentrate on the hard shoulder sides of the motorway So all in all to date these works are just to prepare for the main works later.
Dont Quote I could be wrong just taking a natural assumption
Jules, julianpapworth@hotma
il.com says...
5:18pm Fri 16 May 08
paul the moron, says...
5:18pm Fri 16 May 08
paul b wrote:That's rich from the guy who can't think of anything to say other than "I blame the unemployed" 99% of the time
You lot just like a moan, nothing more nothing less
You moan about it being gridlock then you moan about average speed cameras.
How are these going to bother you if its gridlock?
spambot, says...
5:22pm Fri 16 May 08
Jules wrote:Thanks for posting your email address. I look forward to sending you reams and reams of junk for the rest of your life
When the oil runs out in this world, we'll be going back to horse and carts. lol.
Derek, Dibden Purlieu says...
7:02pm Fri 16 May 08
Jules wrote:Will you still be laughing when the Doctor sets off on a horse to attend to you after you slip on a pile of horse ****?
When the oil runs out in this world, we'll be going back to horse and carts. lol.
mmmmm, Southampton says...
7:19pm Fri 16 May 08
paul b, says...
7:26pm Fri 16 May 08
mmmmm wrote:are you allowed out without your carer?
Can anyone tell hubby and I where the new lane is going? We often take that route and can't fathom out where it is going to go!
David Eddy, Bitterne says...
11:59pm Fri 16 May 08
Chris Chapman, says...
12:19am Sat 17 May 08
If Chris Hune would like to take his blinkers off & exist in the real world, just take a trip to France. The roads are smooth, totally uncongested (as most of the freight goes by Rail)road Tax is, as it should be, included within fuel duty, so the more you drive, the more you pay, which is fair, oh & last but by no means least, a Litre of Diesel is around 85p..
Phil Elmes, Terrigal, Australia says...
1:50am Sat 17 May 08
fed up with M27 & 271, m/wood says...
9:42am Sat 17 May 08
Shazza, says...
10:28am Sat 17 May 08
fed up with M27 & 271 wrote:R&W are not getting £36 million they are one subcontractor of a £36 million project.
These works will be totally useless when completed. Mark my words! How can two lanes go into four lanes and back to two for a couple of miles work. It is total madness, what loony even dreamed this idea up in the first place? R&W will get a good payday though (£36m)I wish.
paul b, says...
10:33am Sat 17 May 08
fed up with M27 & 271 wrote:dont two lanes go onto the m3 and the other two the m27?
These works will be totally useless when completed. Mark my words! How can two lanes go into four lanes and back to two for a couple of miles work. It is total madness, what loony even dreamed this idea up in the first place? R&W will get a good payday though (£36m)I wish.
Shazza, says...
10:38am Sat 17 May 08
Phil Elmes wrote:It's too costly to put Traffic Management out and take it back in every night shift and it's not practical.
Here in Australia motorway roadworks are mainly carried out at night. By the start of the morning peak hour they have packed up and gone, meaning no delays. I have always wondered why motorway works in the UK are done during peak times, at peak periods of the year and often with no evidence of any work being done at all. Can somebody explain it?
They are breaking out areas and infilling areas. For instance after they have broken out the central reserve it is not realistic that they can lay and compact the base course and the wearing course in one visit (unless they are working in very small patches - which isn't efficient, also the surface needs to be smooth, if you are doing little bits at a time it would be uneven).
That's a very basic example; it simply isn't workable on a job of this size to put your TM out do the work and take the TM back in.
Lewis Hamilton, says...
11:35am Sat 17 May 08
Bowmore, Southampton says...
5:44pm Sat 17 May 08
Lewis Hamilton wrote:The computer checking the registration numbers captured by the cameras doesn't care which cameras clocked you in and out of the zone. If your average speed is over 50 changing lanes won't fool the system.
You can beat the average speed cameras by changing lanes e.g. enter past cameras in lane one and exit in lane three. You will notice that the cameras cover specific lanes.
John, says...
10:00pm Sat 17 May 08
David Eddy wrote:How do you love from Eastleigh to Segensworth, and can we all do it? The road workswould make it last longer. Pity there are no roadworks between Eastleigh and Segensworth to make it last longer!
We recently loved from Eastleigh to Segensworth. We have a long term staff member who stuck with us through the move, but has resigned purely because of the time implications of the jams caused by the roadworks.
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toxteth o'grady, says...
9:44am Fri 16 May 08