Not a moonscape but the M27 under construction. Looking west into the distance is the M27 from Hilsea roundabout into the distant Portchester. Picture: Tony Triggs collection.Not a moonscape but the M27 under construction. Looking west into the distance is the M27 from Hilsea roundabout into the distant Portchester. Picture: Tony Triggs collection.
Not a moonscape but the M27 under construction. Looking west into the distance is the M27 from Hilsea roundabout into the distant Portchester. Picture: Tony Triggs collection.

Stunning photos show the long path to constructing the M27

Thousands of us use the M27 on a daily basis to travel along the south coast.
By Deborah Croker
Published 10th Feb 2020, 17:57 BST
Updated 10th Feb 2020, 17:57 BST

The motorway was opened in stages between 1975 and 1983, and these photos from our archive show what the route looked like both before and during construction.

A couple police cars drive up the empty M27 in September 1975 Picture: The News PP4966

1. M27

A couple police cars drive up the empty M27 in September 1975 Picture: The News PP4966 Photo: -

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Looking west from the M275 here we see the M27 just before opening.

2. M27

Looking west from the M275 here we see the M27 just before opening. Photo: -

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Early construction of the M27 (undated). Picture: The News PP3722

3. M27

Early construction of the M27 (undated). Picture: The News PP3722 Photo: a

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The north-western corner of Portsmouth taken in 1973 when the M275 and the M27 were being built showing Horsea Island now connected to the mainland.

4. M27

The north-western corner of Portsmouth taken in 1973 when the M275 and the M27 were being built showing Horsea Island now connected to the mainland. Photo: -

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