SINCE the introduction of the 50mph limit between Junctions 3 and 4 on the M27 the traffic now flows freely at a steady pace.

Before this work commenced, I noticed on many occasions stationary traffic stretching into the westerly horizon, all waiting to access the M3 bottleneck.

It is plainly obvious that instead of wasting tens of millions of pounds on a project that in a very short time will no doubt revert to the same gridlock condition, would have been better spent elsewhere such as the roads of Southampton, most of them only suitable for tracked vehicles and horses that can negotiate the shattered road and potholes.

Had a permanent speed limit of 50mph been introduced some time ago from the New Forest to Ports-mouth, we would not be requiring any motorway widening, nor experiencing these regular everyday congested standstills.

The M27 is not only a glorified bypass of coastal towns and cities, but also a link road to and from the M3.

A 50mph speed limit would cut pollution by up to a third and as a bonus curb the number of fatal speed related accidents as well.

JOHN FREEMANTLE, Nursling.