M27 lane closures to lift as works near completion

Lane restrictions will be removed as a two-year project to resurface a stretch of motorway reaches its final stages.

National Highways has been carrying out works on the M27 between junctions five (Eastleigh) and seven (Hedge End) in Hampshire to reduce noise, improve drainage and strengthen the central reservation.

The road will reopen to four lanes in each direction from 21 April, it has been announced.

Hampshire County Council leader Nick Adams-King said the announcement was "good news" after what had been a "very long stretch of cones and lane closures".

National Highways said: "We expect to complete the first stage of technology testing on 21 April 2026, and lane closures will be removed from both carriageways by 06:00 that morning.

"A temporary 50mph speed limit will remain in place while we do the final stage of testing and recommissioning with all lanes open.

"We'll remove this temporary limit once all testing is complete later in the spring."

Adams-King said removing the lane closures would be a "welcome relief for everyone who uses this section of motorway - and I suspect we'll all enjoy seeing four lanes open again".

He added: "I don't want to be cynical, but in roadworks terms, 'Later in the spring' has been known to drift gently into something resembling July.

"So, progress, and very welcome progress at that. Let's just hope spring means what most of us think it does."

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