A HUGE motorway that’s used by 140,000 vehicles every day is set for a series of closures throughout the next couple of weeks – starting from tomorrow.
The essential works will happen over a number of days and promises to “benefit both communities living near to the motorway and those traveling on it for many years to come.”
Sections of the M27 are due to be closed from October 15, with works running until October 27.
National Highways revealed that the road works will begin between junctions 5 and 8.
That includes the eastbound exit slip road at junction 7, which will be closed between 9pm on October 15 and 6am on October 19.
What’s more, the eastbound entry and exit slip roads at junctions 5 and 7, as well as the eastbound exit slip road at junction 8, will be closed between 9pm and 6am from October 15 to 18.
A National Highways spokesperson said: “The main focus of work will involve the closure of junction 7 of the M27 eastbound exit for an extended period.
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“This is to allow us to install new low noise asphalt and raise the gradient of the slip road by 180mm to ensure it matches the new motorway surface.”
Following this work, the eastbound entry and exit slip roads at junction 5, the eastbound exit slip road at junction 7, and the eastbound exit slip road at junction 8 will then be closed from 9pm to 6am between October 19 to 27.
Drivers travelling on the eastbound carriageway have been warned they will not be able to exit at junctions 5, 7 or 8 if travelling in the contraflow lane while these road closures are in place.
Locals must also note that barriers being moved along the road can create noise, which may cause inconvenience or disruption.
The resurfacing work on the M27 is part of a two-year, £83m upgrade of the motorway that has caused numerous delays for drivers.
The much-used motorway, which is nearly 28 miles long and runs between Cadnam and Portsmouth, is known to drivers for its section of concrete around the Southampton area.
The noisy surface was chosen after the oil crisis in 1973, when bitumen used for roads was in short supply.
Now, the surface is being upgraded to lower the noise caused by the thousands of motors that take the route each day.
Derek MacMillan, senior works manager for the contractor, Morgan Sindall, explained to the BBC: “We’re overlaying the tarmac onto a binder that’s going on top of the existing concrete.
“Up to 150 people are working in shifts, night and day.
“The job’s going to go on until spring next year.”
Richard Scrase, programme manager for the National Highways, believes the finished work will greatly improve the area.
He said: “Initially, we planned two full weekend closures of the exit slip road but thanks to the efforts of everyone involved we have been able to reduce this to one full closure combined with overnight works.
“I would like to apologise in advance for any delays our work may cause.
“The slip road closures are essential to allow us to improve the quality of the road surface – the new low-noise surface will benefit both communities living near to the motorway and those traveling on it for many years to come.”
The M27 isn’t the only major motorway set for closures this week, as the M4 will also be closed in both directions between junction 18 and 19 for a number of days.
Fortunately, a diversion route will be in place, but drivers are warned to expect major congestion.
Elsewhere, the DVLA has revealed its full list of banned 2025 number plates, with more than 250 deemed “too rude” for the road.
Full closure (day and night):
October 15 at 9pm to October 19 at 6am:
M27 Junction 7 eastbound exit slip road
Weeknight closures:
October 15 to October 18 between 9pm to 6am:
M27 junction 5 eastbound entry and exit slip roads
M27 junction 7 eastbound entry and exit slip roads
M27 junction 8 eastbound exit slip road
October 19 to October 27 between 9pm to 6am:
M27 junction 5 eastbound entry and exit slip roads
M27 junction 7 eastbound exit slip road
M27 junction 8 eastbound exit slip road
