Work to widen the M27 around Southampton is due to begin early next year now that the Highways Agency has awarded a contract for the £36 million scheme.

Approximately 4km of the motorway will be widened to four lanes in both directions between Junction 3, Nursling, and Junction 4, Chilworth. All the work will be carried out within the existing boundary of the motorway, and the work is due to start in January 2008.

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Roads Minister Tom Harris said: “Widening the busy M27 is a vital investment for south coast traffic. The Southampton area has seen considerable growth in recent years, which has led to increased traffic and congestion.

“An extra lane in each direction between junctions 3 and 4 will improve safety, make journey times more reliable and bring welcome relief from congestion and delays.”

The M27 is one of the most important travel routes along the south coast through Hampshire, and linking Southampton and Portsmouth.

In March 2005 the Secretary of State for Transport announced the go-ahead for the Highways Agency’s plans to widen the M27 from three lanes to four lanes in each direction between Nursling and Chilworth.

(GK/SP)