Beleaguered M27 drivers issued bleak warning by National Highways
The motorway was recently ranked as England’s worst
Beleaguered drivers of the M27 - England’s worst ranked motorway - have been warned the motorway will continue to see “more work”.
National Highways has said the M27 remains a “focus” for “essential maintenance and repair work” and cited the motorway’s location near the sea and its age as factors for this. The motorway was built and opened in stages between 1975 and 1983 - after a number of motorways had opened across the country.
As reported on Tuesday, the M27 was handed the ignominious title as England’s worst motorway amid concerns over roadworks and delays.
Just 56% of drivers who used the 28-mile road said they were satisfied with their journey, a survey by watchdog Transport Focus found.
Widespread disruption started in March 2018 for work for the Smart Motorway scheme which finished in June 2022.
However, there has been plenty of other disruption for drivers on the M27 in recent times. In February 2024, an £83m resurface scheme between junctions 5 and 7 started and only completed in June this year.
Work is also ongoing to upgrade Junction 10 of the M27 in a project being led by Hampshire County Council. This is to improve the infrastructure for the area as a result of the construction of nearby Welborne Garden Village where 6,000 new homes are being built. This has also led to the current lane restrictions and a 50mph limit being put in place.
Work has begun to renew the signal at Junction 3 which will lead to each direction being closed overnight in turn. And the westbound stretch near Paulsgrove, just after junction 12, has also been subject to a 50mph speed limit for more than a year.
It appears there is no end in sight with delays and disruption for drivers with National Highways issuing a bleak outlook. A spokesperson said: “Given its age and proximity to the coast the M27 remains a focus for ongoing essential maintenance and repair work.
“This means we will have more work to carry out along this route including, at times, unplanned repairs and maintenance – particularly after incidents when the road and infrastructure have been damaged.”