A MAJOR scheme to help improve congestion on the M27 could 'cause chaos' if is not implemented properly, a civic leader says.

The scheme, which is being proposed by Highways England, will see the stretch of motorway between junction four for the M3 interchange near Eastleigh and at junction 11 at Fareham have varied speed limits.

The hard shoulder will act as a fourth lane, creating a four-lane motorway and increasing capacity by over a third.

The news comes after a week which saw number of serious crashes on the M27.

A 58-year-old lorry driver died on Friday after a collision on the motorway between junctions nine and 10 of the eastbound carriageway.

The road was closed for nine hours on Sunday morning following a late-night car chase involving police.

Three constabulary vehicles were damaged in the collision which saw a 58-year-old man taken to hospital and arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving.

And just minutes after the road reopened, a car left the motorway and drove down a verge.

Highways England claim the scheme will provide greater capacity, improve traffic flow, provide more predictable and shorter journey times and reduce accidents.

But Cllr Simon Letts, the leader of Southampton City Council, said: “The scheme should be delivered in stages instead of in one big heap, which could potentially cause chaos, especially at rush hour.”

At a recent meeting of the Solent Transport Board, council bosses discussed the impact the M27 smart motorway scheme will have on traffic flow and the wider community.

A Highways England spokesperson said: “Smart motorways cut congestion and lead to safer, quicker, more reliable and better journeys for motorists.

“We always work hard to keep traffic moving during roadworks and try to keep delays to an absolute minimum. However safety is our top priority, and we’ll need to put measures in place to ensure the safety of construction workers and motorists.”

However, county councillor Rob Humby, executive member for transport, said that there should be more co-ordination between stakeholders and councils to effectively deliver a program of travel demand management during the implementation of the works.

Mr Humby said: “The county council welcomes the investment by Highways England to improve the South’s infrastructure.

"I have seen smart motorways work well elsewhere in the UK and know it will help alleviate pressure on our network at peak times as well support our economy.

"It is now vitally important we work in partnership with Highways England and the other councils to minimise disruption.”

“This will include co-ordinating works on local diversion routes and communicate with residents and businesses, to keep traffic flowing as best as we can during this time.”

Cllr Sean Woodward, leader of Fareham Borough Council, added: “We’ve been campaigning for a number of years for improvements on the M27.

“Now that Highways England is committed to delivering the project we need to ensure that the project is consulted with residents especially those who live near the motorway.”

A spokesperson for the Solent LEP said: “We are engaging with Highways England to ensure that opportunities come forward for the business community in the Solent area to help shape the solution.

“It is our expectation that we will be working with Highways England and local partners to arrange briefing events for businesses in the region in the near future.”

Smart motorways use pioneering technology to manage traffic during busy periods – this includes changing the speed limit to smooth traffic flow, activating warning signs and closing lanes when needed.

The project, expected to cost over £240million will commence in spring 2018 and is expected to take around two and a half years.