M27 50mph limit: Hampshire County Council leader gives update on speed restrictions as part of Junction 10 Welborne reopening
Motorway speed restrictions will stay in place for a while - even after a new junction is opened to traffic. Here’s why
The 50mph limit on a stretch of a busy motorway will remain in force for a while longer, despite the imminent opening of a new junction.
But Hampshire County Council leader Nick Adams-King said the restriction would be “out of the way soon” as junction 10 begins a phased opening from September 14.
The temporary limit remains between junctions nine and 11 on the M27 while National Highways completes testing and commissioning work following the construction of the new underpass and carriageway at junction 10.
The government agency said a single lane reduction would also remain in place during the final stage of the project, which has taken two years. This is needed to keep drivers safe while essential technology is tested and recommissioned.
The major £100m overhaul at junction 10 will serve Fareham and the Welborne Garden Village development.
It includes a new underpass beneath the M27, three new slip roads, a dual carriageway and four roundabouts, as well as routes for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders.
Speaking during a tour of the site, Cllr Adams-King thanked people for their patience following disruption caused by the works.
He said: “Thank you to everyone for your patience around the disruption for this. The 50mph speed limit will be in place a little bit longer, but that is going to be out of the way soon.
“People will be able to use these junctions within the next few weeks, so away we go. I didn’t expect it to get done ahead of time; you never do.”
The phased opening is due to start on September 14, allowing traffic to begin using parts of the new layout while the wider project is completed.
The underpass was installed during a major Christmas closure of the M27 between junctions nine and 11, when a huge pre-built concrete structure was slid beneath the motorway using the box-slide technique.
Cllr Adams-King added: “People should be really proud of what Hampshire can achieve when we work together.”
National Highways said much of the final testing would be carried out remotely, meaning drivers were unlikely to see significant activity at the roadside.
A spokesperson said: “Major infrastructure projects require a period of commissioning and testing after they open to traffic. As part of this final phase, a temporary 50mph speed limit will remain in place between junctions nine and 11 while essential technology within the new carriageway is tested and recommissioned alongside a single lane reduction. These measures are necessary to keep road users safe.”
The spokesperson added that the work was expected to be complete by winter 2026.