A HAMPSHIRE motorway has fully reopened after days of delays due to emergency repairs to a railway bridge. 

On Thursday motorists faced 85 minute delays as traffic was held on the M3 at Junction 11. 

It was later revealed by National Highways that this was due to a major defect at Shawford Railway Bridge which crosses the road between Chandler's Ford and Winchester. 

Emergency repairs began meaning that two of three northbound lanes would remain closed for days afterwards. 

READ MORE: Delays expected on M3 over weekend as bridge repairs continue

But now it has been announced that the road has reopened to traffic again after the works. 

As previously reported, the works had been planned for completion by 6am this morning. 

It comes after a full closure of the M3 northbound was put in place between the slip roads at junction 11 last night at about 9pm. 

Rob Bell, South East Network Operations Manager for National Highways, thanked motorists for their patience whilst repairs took place. 

He added: "The defect was identified during a routine inspection of the bridge and for your safety we established the defect posed a risk to the travelling public so took immediate steps to close the lanes affected."

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.

Don't take my word for it - subscribe here to see for yourself.

Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by joining our Facebook group - Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents

Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated Facebook group - Hampshire Court and Crime News