M3 and M27 closures hit Hampshire this weekend
Motorway closures and lane restrictions will disrupt travel across Hampshire from Friday night through Monday morning. Highways England details closures for electrical works, resurfacing, and inspections on sections of the M3 and M27. Drivers urged to plan ahead.
Motorists across Hampshire face major travel disruptions this weekend as Highways England enforces overnight closures and lane restrictions on the M3 and M27. Starting Friday night, sections of both motorways will close intermittently for electrical maintenance, resurfacing, and safety inspections, forcing drivers onto diversions or delaying journeys by hours.
The closures span 72 hours from Friday, May 29, at 9 p.m. through Monday, June 1, at 5:30 a.m., with the most severe restrictions hitting the M27 eastbound between Junctions 2 and 3 for survey work and resurfacing. Eastbound drivers on the M27 between those junctions will face a full carriageway closure from 9 p.m. Saturday through 6 a.m. Sunday, while westbound traffic between Junctions 5 and 4 will see the same treatment during the same window.
Key Points
- ✅ M27 eastbound closes fully between Junctions 2 and 3 from 9 p.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday
- ⚡ M3 southbound entry slip at Junction 4 closes 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Saturday and Sunday
- 💡 Link road between M3 Junction 2 and M25 Junction 12 closes 10:30 p.m. Sunday to 5:30 a.m. Monday
Electrical work at Junction 3 on the M27 will require roundabout closures in all directions from Friday 9 p.m. to Saturday 6 a.m., while resurfacing at Junction 8 will keep entry slip roads closed for the same period. Northbound M3 drivers exiting at Junction 4 will face closure of the exit slip from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday nights due to inspection work.
| Route | Closure Details | Dates & Times |
|---|---|---|
| M27 Eastbound | Full carriageway closure between J2 and J3 | 9 p.m. Sat to 6 a.m. Sun |
| M27 Eastbound | Entry slip closure at J8 | 9 p.m. Sat to 6 a.m. Sun |
| M27 Westbound | Carriageway closure between J5 and J4 | 9 p.m. Sat to 6 a.m. Sun |
| M3 Northbound | Exit slip closure at J4 | 9 p.m. Fri to 5 a.m. Sat |
| M3 Southbound | Entry slip closure at J4 | 9 p.m. Fri to 5 a.m. Sat |
Urgent safety fence repairs on the M3 link road connecting Junction 2 southbound to the M25 anti-clockwise at Junction 12 will close the route from 10:30 p.m. Sunday to 5:30 a.m. Monday, adding a critical gap in connectivity for south Hampshire commuters.
- 📊 60% of closures occur between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., minimizing daytime disruption
- 🔍 Survey works on the M27 between J2 and J3 are part of a long-term asset management program
- ⚠️ No M3 closures scheduled on Friday, but south Hampshire residents should verify planned routes before travel
Drivers are advised to check Highways England’s live traffic feed before departure, as last-minute diversions or additional closures could be announced. The agency has warned of potential delays of up to two hours during peak closure periods, particularly on the M27 eastbound between Southampton and Portsmouth.
📋 By The Numbers
- 5 — Total number of closures across both motorways
- 3 — Separate time blocks with overlapping closures
- 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. — Most common closure window
This is the third consecutive weekend of major closures on Hampshire’s motorways, following previous overnight restrictions on the M27 in April and M3 inspections in March. Highways England has attributed the increased activity to a backlog of maintenance deferred during winter weather and the pandemic.
💡 Pro Tip
Use the Waze app during closures—real-time user reports often surface delays before official traffic feeds update.
For those relying on the M27 corridor between Southampton and Portsmouth, alternative routes via the A3(M) and A27 are expected to see significant volume, with journey times potentially doubling. The closures coincide with the start of the half-term school break in some regions, raising concerns about congestion on secondary roads.
- Check your route — Verify closures and diversions via Highways England’s traffic app or website
- Leave early — Add at least 45 minutes to standard travel times for each closure zone
- Use public transport — Southern Railway has confirmed no planned disruptions, offering a viable alternative for commuters