LIVE: M27 closure (From Daily Echo)

4:38pm

Queues are beginning to build up on the M27 late this afternoon, with traffic moving slowly between Rownhams services and junction 4.

4:28pm

Slow moving traffic is also being reported at Wide Lane, Eastleigh, near Southampton Airport.

4:06pm

ROMANSE is warning of slow moving traffic travelling westbound on the A27 in Bassett, between Bassett Wood Road and Stoneham Way. 

3:05pm

2:22pm

Highways chiefs say traffic is also crawling along on South Street, in Eastleigh, as motorists head to rejoin the M27 at junction 5.

1:56pm

The broken down car has quickly been recovered and lane one of the slip road at junction 5 of the eastbound carriageway is open again.

1:36pm

Traffic is continuing to queue along Bassett Green Road.

1:35pm

1:34pm

Tailbacks continue to cause delays on Bassett Green Road

1:21pm

Some motorists are reporting that the stretch of M27 between junctions 4 and 5 was open as late as 9.30pm last night, despite the fact it was due to be closed off by 9pm.

1:19pm

Bus companies now starting to report delays on some of their main routes as they get caught up in the diverted traffic.

A spokesperson from Velvet said it is taking up to 30 minutes for buses to get from the Velmore estate, in Chandler's Ford, into the heart of Eastleigh.

12:49pm

The M3 southbound is also moving very slowly now as more and more cars hit the road. 

12:27pm

12:18pm

ROMANSE again warning of "very slow" traffic eastbound along Leigh Road approaching Passfield Avenue. Advice is to use M3 junction 12 instead.

12:16pm

Long queues are now being reported on the M3 northbound on the junction 13 slip road, due to diverted traffic.

Highways bosses say the "official diversion" at junction 12 is still "coping well".

12:07pm

For a reminder of exactly why the M27 is closed today, click here.

11:57am

One resident told the Daily Echo this morning: "It's normally quite quiet at this time on a Sunday but the traffic is backed right up. It's complete gridlock.

"It's been getting steadily busier all morning."

11:51am

11:49am

11:49am

Bus services are also being effected by the diversions as traffic builds up along popular routes.

But firms seem to be coping well so far.

11:47am

11:35am

South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust said messages were being sent to all front-line vehicles in the area alerting them to the closure and advising them to follow diversions.

11:34am

Police have warned motorists to obey the lower speed limits as they travel through residential areas along the diverted routes. Officers are out in force conducting speed checks.

11:32am

The A335 is also very busy southbound travelling towards junction 5 of the M27.

11:30am

But traffic has already started to build up along Leigh Road, in Eastleigh, near the junction with Passfield Avenue

11:27am

11:26am

Highways chiefs this morning said that traffic was "flowing well"

11:24am

Drivers heading in and out of Southampton are being diverted through Eastleigh and Bassett, with delays expected.

11:23am

The route was shut off to motorists at 9pm last night and will remain closed all day.

11:22am

A stretch of the M27 eastbound is closed between junction 4, where it meets the M3, and junction 5 near Eastleigh, today.