M27 traffic and closures: smart motorway work continues

Highways England will be deeply reconstructing the carriageway between junction 9 and 11 on the M27.

Eastbound lanes will be closed between junctions 9 and 11 from 9pm on Friday October 1 until 6am on Monday October 4.

The closure and diversion route. Photo: Highways England

Signed diversions will be in place.

Traffic travelling eastbound should leave the M27 at junction 9 and take the third exit at the roundabout onto the A27 towards Fareham.

Drivers should continue on the eastbound A27 and re-join the M27 at junction 11.  

Congestion is expected so drivers are advised to plan ahead and leave extra time for their journeys.

A reminder we're closing the #M27 westbound carriageway this weekend between junctions 11 to 9 to carry out work not possible to take place while the motorway's fully open. The closure is from 9pm Fri 1 Oct til 6am Mon 4 Oct.@hantshighways @hantsconnect https://t.co/rU5ePSYzd9 pic.twitter.com/5Ck8aJe7Wx

— National Highways: South-East (@HighwaysSEAST) September 29, 2021

A spokesperson for Highways England said: "All diversions will be fully signed, and closures are subject to change subject to operational requirements or adverse weather conditions."

Why is this work being completed?

The M27 is to become a smart motorway, which is a route that uses traffic management methods to increase capacity and reduce congestion in particularly busy areas.

These methods include using the hard shoulder as a running lane and using variable speed limits to control the flow of traffic.

Library image of average speed cameras.

Highways England developed smart motorways to manage traffic in a way that minimises environmental impact, cost and time to construct by avoiding the need to build additional lanes.

The M27 scheme has been branded controversial and has also been plagued with delays.

• Read more: M27 smart motorway scheme delayed again for further eight months