M27: Work on noisy stretch of motorway delayed until next year

An £80m project to upgrade the Eastleigh to Hedge End stretch of the motorway by covering the concrete carriageway with low-noise asphalt was due to start in the spring.

But the long-awaited scheme was postponed until the autumn - despite years of complaints from noise protesters living nearby.

Now National Highways has revealed that the project will not go ahead until early next year.

Paul Holmes, Conservative MP for Eastleigh, has been campaigning on the issue since he was elected in 2019 (Image: Martini archive)

Replying to a complaint lodged by a West End resident it said: "These works have not started yet as we are in the final stages of planning and designing the repairs.

"This has been delayed as we have identified the need for additional drainage work which unfortunately is unavoidable.

READ MORE: Work to make Eastleigh to Hedge End section of M27 less noisy hit by delay

"We are hoping to start the preparatory works in December, with visible works beginning from the new year."

The latest delay has angered the leader of Eastleigh Borough Council, Cllr Keith House.

The new delay has angered Keith House, leader of Eastleigh Borough Council (Image: Newsquest.)

He said: "National Highways appear to be incapable of managing projects - the whole history of the M27 in recent years underlines this.

"The upgrade to Junction 8 should have been completed by now but remains unstarted.

"The resurfacing of junctions 5 to 7 was to have taken place when the Smart Motorway project was delivered. Nobody can have any confidence in anything this government agency says."

Roads minister Richard Holden referred to the M27 during a visit to Eastleigh earlier this year, describing the noise it made as "quite unbelievable".

Roads minister Richard Holden apologised for previous delays when he visited Eastleigh earlier this year (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Holden was accompanied by Eastleigh MP Paul Holmes, who said he had been campaigning on the issue ever since he was elected in 2019.

The existing surface will be overlaid with asphalt, resulting in less noise for nearby communities and a smoother drive for motorists.

READ MORE: Work on concrete section of M27 to cost an extra £30m

A statement on the National Highways website says: "Concrete roads have proved tough and durable over the years, needing very little in the way of maintenance or the roadworks that can affect people’s journeys.

"However, the surface is now reaching the stage where it will need to be repaired or replaced for safety reasons, to reduce noise and improve it for driving on.

"The thick asphalt overlay of the M27 will ensure the concrete stays stable for much longer and we won't need to replace it in a few years."

Commenting on the latest delay Mr Holmes said: "I know how important these works are for the local community, and that's why this project was a key promise of mine when I was elected.

"I have been in regular contact with National Highways throughout since the securing of £83 million of government investment.

"It is my understanding that these additional drainage works are unavoidable, but will not cause more than a short delay to the full works beginning at the end of this year."