Drivers on M27 warned of fresh lane reductions and overnight closures

Highways England said it will be temporarily reducing the motorway from three lanes to two between junction 8 at Bursledon and junction 7 at Hedge End, westbound.

The changes will begin on Saturday and will run throughout the day from 6am to 8pm until Sunday, January 31.

The eastbound carriageway will also be cut to two lanes along the same stretch from 10pm on Friday, January 22, to 6am on Monday, February 1.

Highways England said the reductions were being made ‘due to fewer vehicles travelling on the M27 because of the Covid-19 pandemic’.

They’re in place to help engineers upgrade the highway to a smart motorway.

A spokesman for Highways England said: ‘This trial will enable us to continue fully imposing the government restrictions imposed by Covid-19 and allow us to continue working safely both during the day as well as overnight when required. This arrangement will be kept under constant review.’

Meanwhile, gantry installations continue to take place between junction 4 and junction 11, at Fareham. Highways England expect this work to be completed by the end of February.

However, the organisation warned a number of evening closures would be needed.

The first of the closures begins on Monday where the eastbound stretch between junction 9 at Whiteley and junction 11 in Fareham will be closed.

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Junction 9 westbound to junction 8 will be closed overnight on Wednesday and Thursday.

For a full list of closures, see highwaysengland.co.uk

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