TWO months of night closures on a major Hampshire motorway have begun.

From last night the M27 was shut off eastbound between junction three (Rownhams) and junction five (Stoneham) from 9pm until 6am thi this morning.

It is part of a four week programme of closures on the eastbound carriageway, to allow for resurfacing works between junction three and junction four (Chilworth).

The closures will take place on week nights (9pm-6am) until early March.

This will be followed by opposite closures on the westbound carriageway, which are scheduled to begin on March 5.

However, Highways England say the work on the westbound carriageway could begin sooner, if the work on the eastbound carriageway is completed early.

The work will run alongside a ten week project by Southampton City Council to repair the nearby Bassett Avenue, set to begin next weekend.

A spokesperson for Highways England said: "Between now and the end of March was are carrying out resurfacing work on the M27 between junctions 3 and 5.

"We have planned this work carefully with both Hampshire County Council and Southampton City Council.

"While it is simply not possible to completely avoid coinciding with any local roadworks, we have taken steps to minimise the overlap between our work and the council’s roadworks on Basset Avenue by carrying out the work at night when traffic flows are quietest between 9pm and 6am, Monday to Friday.”

During the works, eastbound traffic on the M27 will be diverted north on the M271 towards Romsey and along the A27 through North Baddesley and Chilworth.

Drivers will then be diverted onto Bassett Green Road and then north onto Stoneham Way, where traffic will be able to rejoin the M27.

During the westbound closures, traffic will follow a reverse route, rejoining the motorway at junction three.