M27 junction upgrade set to open ahead of schedule

A major motorway upgrade expected to carry about 30,000 vehicles a day is set to open months earlier than planned.

The improved M27 Junction 10 in Hampshire will begin opening in phases from 14 September, with new slip roads, an underpass and four roundabouts coming into use.

The scheme will eventually provide full access to and from the motorway in both directions and is seen as key to unlocking up to 6,000 planned homes.

At a cost of more than £100m, the project was originally due to open to traffic in winter 2026.

The westbound off-slip road will open first, along with the new underpass and four new roundabouts.

The eastbound and westbound on-slips are expected to open later in the autumn.

The upgraded junction will create direct links, via the A3222, between the motorway and Fareham, Wickham, Whiteley, Southampton and Portsmouth.

Nick Adams-King, leader of Hampshire County Council who delivered the project, said it will improve the growth and economic activity of Hampshire and the Solent.

"It brings jobs to the area," he said. "What we should all be really proud of is that most of the contractors have come from Hampshire," he added.

The work was carried out in the main by engineering and construction company VolkerFitzpatrick.

A key feature of the scheme is a new motorway underpass installed during the Christmas period using a "box slide" technique.

The 60m-long (197ft) concrete structure was moved 65m (213ft) into position beneath the M27.

Andrew Jackson, project lead from National Highways, said temporary speed restrictions of 50MPH will remain in place between junctions 9 and 11 while further safety testing of signalling and lights is carried out.

"It will be the end of the year before all of that traffic management is removed," he said.

Overnight closures are also expected the weekend prior to the opening in September.