Drivers across the south of England are facing significant festive season disruption as a major motorway is set to close for a ten-day period over Christmas and New Year.
Closure Dates and Diversion Details
The M27 will be fully shut down between junctions nine and eleven from 8pm on Tuesday, 24 December until 4am on Saturday, 4 January. This extended closure is to allow for a major engineering operation to install a new underpass.
Highways officials have confirmed a signed diversion route will be in place along the A27, which is mostly a dual carriageway. However, this alternative route is expected to experience severe congestion, particularly during the peak holiday getaway period.
Official Advice for Road Users
Hampshire County Council has issued strong guidance for motorists. They advise the public to plan their journeys meticulously in advance and to seriously consider all available alternatives.
These alternatives include using public transport, travelling at less busy times, finding different routes, or questioning whether the journey is essential. The council's cabinet member for highways, Lulu Bowerman, emphasised the scale of the project.
"After months of meticulous planning, we are putting the final preparations in place for what will be a major and complex engineering operation," Ms Bowerman told Sky News.
"Once the M27 closes from 8pm on Christmas Eve, work will continue around the clock, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to complete the job safely and as quickly as possible."
Specific Access Restrictions and Project Scale
Access to the motorway will be heavily restricted during the closure period. Key points for drivers to note include:
- The westbound exit at Junction 11 (for Fareham/Gosport) will remain open.
- The eastbound exit at Junction 9 (for Whiteley/Park Gate) will stay open.
- There will be no westbound entry at Junction 11 (towards Southampton and the A32).
- There will be no eastbound entry at Junction 9 (towards Portsmouth).
The engineering work is substantial. Once the new underpass is positioned, embankments will be backfilled and reinstated using approximately 6,000 tonnes of material. Specialist teams will work non-stop, including on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Ms Bowerman acknowledged the inconvenience, stating: "The work has been planned at a time when traffic levels are lower, but we appreciate it will cause inconvenience, and we thank everyone for their understanding in advance as we deliver these vital improvements."
With millions expected to be travelling during the festive break, this prolonged closure of a critical transport artery is likely to cause widespread delays. All motorists are strongly encouraged to check the latest traffic updates before setting out on any journey in the region.
