M27 closure will save lives say road chiefs

7:25am Friday 8th March 2013 in News

M27 closure will save lives say road chiefs M27 closure will save lives say road chiefs

MAJOR roadworks that are forcing the closure of one of the county’s busiest routes tonight and tomorrow will save lives, insist motorway bosses.

A stretch of the eastbound M27 will be shut for 32 hours to allow essential work that will prevent the build up of surface water on the motorway after heavy rain.

The closure is expected to cause motoring misery for drivers heading to and from Southampton, but those in charge of the work say they have worked hard to choose a quiet weekend to ensure as little disruption as possible.

Highways Agency chiefs admitted that there is no good weekend to close the motorway, but with no cruise sailings in Southampton and Saints playing away from home, this weekend was seen as the best, despite it being Mother’s Day on Sunday.

Lengthy diversions As previously reported by the Daily Echo, the motorway will be closed between junction 4, where it meets the M3, and junction 5, near Eastleigh, leaving motorists forced to take lengthy diversions through Eastleigh and Bassett.

The closure had been expected to start at 9pm on Friday, but after negotiations between Southampton City Council, the Highways Agency and the police, this has been put back until 9pm on Saturday, with it reopening at 5.30am on Monday.

Cllr Asa Thorpe, the city council’s cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “Safety improvements on this motorway section will save lives.”

The work will see the road resurfaced so that rain water drains from the road rather than collect in the middle, as it does currently after heavy downpours, therefore improving safety for the thousands of motorists who use it every day.

During the closure, M3 traffic will be diverted off at junction 14 to follow a diversion via the A33, A27 and A335.

M27 traffic will be diverted onto the northbound M3 to junction 12 to follow a diversion via the A335, Woodside Avenue, Passfield Avenue, Chestnut Avenue and Stoneham Lane.

These roads through Eastleigh were judged to be better equipped to deal with the increased traffic than the route that motorists would have to take if they came off at junction 13.

Phil Sheppard, Highways Agency asset manager, said: “Safety is top priority for the Highways Agency.

“We have considered other options but this has proved to be the best, safest and most effective way to do it.”

Police are also stepping up speed check patrols along the diversion routes in a bid to ensure those coming off the motorway are keeping to the limits.

Comments(14)

chrisja says...
7:49am Fri 8 Mar 13

I guarantee you it will overrun.

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Yura Nicced says...
8:01am Fri 8 Mar 13

If safety is the highways priority how come u have screwed up London rd - u didn't listen to the police, taxi licensing or the safety partnership and it won't be long before someone is seriously hurt near the taxi rank which firstly highways didn't want and secondly is on the wrong side of the road - off topic and rant over

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Ozmosis says...
8:35am Fri 8 Mar 13

I said this on the earlier article - how many people have actually been killed on this stretch of motorway. Come on, Daily Echo - how about asking that question!

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10 Minute Man says...
8:56am Fri 8 Mar 13

I don't think any one is making a fuss as much as the Echo might like or the Highways Agency has prepared for. Its just maintenance, its necessary, oh well never mind.

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elvisimo says...
9:02am Fri 8 Mar 13

Non story.

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Niel says...
3:58pm Fri 8 Mar 13

So they are doing it to stop ponding, good. Now what about the contrary to published standards milled surface between J5 and J7? That is DANGEROUS, ask anyone who's ever been 'tram-lined', and it's not just motorcyclists that have problems with it, car and van drivers do too!

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allison.luella says...
3:58pm Fri 8 Mar 13

I was planning on travelling on sunday, to see my family. i am not going to bother now!! :(

Thank you Highways agency!! :(

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allison.luella says...
3:58pm Fri 8 Mar 13

I was planning on travelling on sunday, to see my family. i am not going to bother now!! :(

Thank you Highways agency!! :(

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Big Vern says...
6:56pm Fri 8 Mar 13

I live just off Chestnut Avenue - I imagine the weekend will be pretty mental. They have chosen their dates carefully in term of traffic I think - but yes there's never a good time.

Having lived on Brighton seafront in the past I personally am used to organising my weekends around chaos and when you can be at home or go away for the weekend. To me it's not unusual.

Roast beef, yorkshires & all the trmmings, a warm house with the wife and kids on Sunday sounds pretty good to me (better not forget the cards for Mothers day tho - and before anyone asks - I'm cooking & washing up!)

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Big Vern says...
6:57pm Fri 8 Mar 13

10 Minute Man wrote:
I don't think any one is making a fuss as much as the Echo might like or the Highways Agency has prepared for. Its just maintenance, its necessary, oh well never mind.
AGREE!! Get over it, its only a weekend - plan something else huh!

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Huffter says...
8:32pm Fri 8 Mar 13

Is there anybody who depends on the M27 for a couple of days? ha ha!

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thomasupton says...
8:35pm Fri 8 Mar 13

Looks like the police are going to try and make a few bucks picking on motorists again.

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Torchie1 says...
12:21am Sat 9 Mar 13

allison.luella wrote:
I was planning on travelling on sunday, to see my family. i am not going to bother now!! :(

Thank you Highways agency!! :(
There was a road system that existed before the motorway and it's still there but you may experience some delays so allow more time.

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Huffter says...
2:54pm Sat 9 Mar 13

allison.luella wrote:
I was planning on travelling on sunday, to see my family. i am not going to bother now!! :( Thank you Highways agency!! :(
The M27 is no doubt essential to your journey - but you will be safer at home; if all roads were closed there would be a lot less deaths from roadcaccidents.

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