A HAMPSHIRE MP has hailed multi-million pound improvements for a motorway junction.

Eastleigh MP Mims Davies welcomed the £2.5 million investment to improve Junction 7 of the M27 at Hedge End.

The investment is part of the £220million Congestion Relief Programme announced in November as part of the Government plans to ease congestion across the country.

Ms Davies said: “ I warmly welcome this extra investment to improve the M27.

“Many of my constituents commute on this road on a daily basis and this will address an often daily struggle with delays we all find frustrating.”

Overall £53million will be spent on road improvements in the South East, including works in Guilford and Dover.

The Government say that the scheme will also improve safety and help local development.

“The extra Highways England funding demonstrates this Conservative Government’s commitment to build a country that works for everyone.

“I’m delighted that after several meetings with Highways England and Hampshire County Council we’ve got a positive start on better infrastructure for my constituency,” Ms Davies said.

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

The plans were unveiled in January and will convert hard shoulder between Junction 4 and Junction 11 into an extra lane to reduce congestion, as part of Highway England’s smart motorway programme.

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

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: “We are making the most extensive improvements to roads in the last 40 years, investing a record £23 billion to keep our country moving and make journeys faster, better and more reliable for everyone.

“These schemes announced will provide quick relief to millions of drivers and save them from getting stuck in traffic.”

The majority of the work on the scheme is anticipated to take place before May 2020.