AROUND 20 cars were involved in an accident on the westbound M27 this morning.

Police were forced to close the carriageway at the Rownhams services just past junction three to the M3in order to recover the cars that had skidded on the treacherous icy roads and allow gritters to access the area.

A number of minor injuries were reported but no one was seriously hurt in the incident that happened just before 7am today.

Tailbacks stretched as far back at junction seven at Hedge End by 8am.

The motorway was reopened by 9.30am. Significant tailbacks were still being reported around junctions seven and eight to hamble on the M27 however, owing to a number of minor shunts. Meanwhile no trains were running between Bournemouth and Southampton after 16 trains were “stuck” to the tracks.

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The engines and carriages could not be released from the depot in Bournemouth and services were suspended until further notice.

A replacement bus service was in operation although that could not be guaranteed due to the dangerous driving conditions.

The collision on the M27 was one of a number reported