MULTI–million-pound improvements have been announced to upgrade a major Hampshire motorway junction.

Costing £2.5million, Junction 7 of the M27 at Hedge End is to be transformed as part of Government plans to ease congestion across the country.

Chancellor Philip Hammond announced the £220million Congestion Relief Programme in November last year.

The Government say the scheme, which is part of 27 major improvement plans nationally and four in the South East, will also improve safety and help local development.

The majority of the work on these schemes is anticipated to take place before May 2020 – the next scheduled General Election.

MP for Southampton Itchen, Royston Smith, has hailed the decision to improve the junction.

“This is great news for many of my constituents who use the M27 on a regular basis,” said Mr Smith.

“Thanks to significant lobbying by Hampshire MPs the region will benefit from the £220 million pound fund to improve pinch points on our road network across the country.

“It further demonstrates this government’s plans to improve our local infrastructure and build a country that works for everyone.”

He added: “The M27 is a nightmare to use; it has been in need of upgrading for a while.

“This investment is hopefully going to ease congestion, but like anything, the work will take time.

“Nevertheless, now we have the money it is a good thing and good news for the motorists who use the motorway.”

The Government says it and Highways England have worked closely to identify options for the investment across the country.

As part of this programme, Highways England will deliver further small schemes in addition to major motorway and A-Road improvement; these will take place before 2020.

As reported, the improvements at Junction 7 are part of plans to turn the M27 into a ‘smart motorway’.

The plans, which were unveiled in January, involve turning the hard shoulder into a fourth lane to improve traffic flow.

The project for the stretch of motorway between Junction 4 and 11 is part of Highway England’s smart motorway programme.

Smart motorways use pioneering technology to manage traffic at busy times by changing the speed limits, activating warning signs and closing lanes if necessary.