Friday, July 11, 2025
Hampshire drivers are put on notice about the possibilities of disruptions to their travel schedules over the weekend as several major stretches of the M3 and M27 motorways are to be temporarily closed late evening and overnight from Friday, 11th of July to Sunday, 13th of July 2025. National Highways, the governmental organization responsible for the upkeep and management of major road networks, has announced these closure timetables as part of the continuation of its maintenance and infrastructure renewal works meant to improve road safety and ensure a seamless movement of traffic.
Commuters are strongly advised to advance their trips, taking into consideration the diversions and roadblocks that are to happen. Roadblocks are going to happen in a number of principal areas on both motorways, namely parts of the M3 connecting Junction 3 (Bagshot) and Junction 4 (Frimley), and parts of the M27 connecting Junctions 5 and 7. Roadblocks are going to happen mainly late evenings and early mornings, and therefore, the people accustomed to traveling during these times are advised to prepare themselves for delays and roadblocks.
M3 Closure: Installation of Bagshot Heath Footbridge
One of the largest overnight road closures of the weekend is scheduled for the M3, which will shut the motorway between Junction 3 (Bagshot) and Junction 4 (Frimley) while a new footbridge is built at Bagshot Heath by National Highways. Replacement is required for an older bridge, which has now reached the end of its useful life. Safer pedestrian crossing of the motorway will be achieved by the new footbridge, which will link Whitmoor Road, Bagshot, with Lightwater Country Park, a favorite recreational facility.
This new junction forms part of the long-term upgrade program by the National Highways to improve the transport infrastructure while maintaining road safety. During these works, the M3 road will be closed, and these are likely to continue through the weekend.
Diversion routes will be utilized while the closure is taking place, which will divert the traffic to local roads around the areas of Blackwater, Bagshot, Camberley, and Windlesham. Drivers are advised to utilize the diversion roads accordingly, as there will be a rush of local traffic while the closure takes place. Since the stretch of the motorway itself is already highly trafficked, as can be witnessed, particularly during weekends, in the evenings, motorists encountering the area should anticipate long travel times. Additionally, drivers are advised to avoid the area as much as they can.
M27 Maintenance: Junctions 5 to 7 Resurfacing
Another significant series of roadwork-related road closures will affect the M27 motorway, the segment running the distance between Junctions 5 and 7. That segment of the M27 motorway will be closed while resurfacing work occurs as part of an ongoing road upgrading program intended to reduce noise pollution as well as upgrade the road surface. As part of the upgrade scheme, a low-noise surface of concrete will be installed, which should improve the condition of the road as well as the neighborhood’s effect of road noise.
This closure of the M27 will be slightly different from the closure of the M3 in terms of schedule and extent. Closures will occur overnight, from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM, to ensure minimum disruption to the normal flow of daily traffic.
As with the situation of the closure of the M3, diversion signs will be utilized. Drivers are recommended to follow the diversions as soon as possible to avoid delays and allow easy access to the diversions for alternate use. As much as these are required for the unavoidable maintenance, they are going to disrupt, particularly during peak periods. Motorists are set to suffer heavier traffic as the local roads are absorbing the additional number of cars.
Travel Planning Tools
In order to enjoy a convenient and trouble-free trip, you need to keep yourself updated with the current travel information and the latest travel updates about the road closures. Both the local councils and the National Highways offer real-time information about the traffic, such as maps and suggested alternative routes.
National Highways Road Closures Report: From National Highways, the official publication provided here contains the current information about all roadworks and road closure schedules along the road network of England. Traffic movement information and the current notifications about sudden events or roadblocks are furnished by the website, which allows the drivers to route appropriately.
My Journey Hampshire Interactive Roadworks Map: For drivers specifically going through Hampshire, the My Journey Hampshire website contains an interactive roadworks map which shows the current and forthcoming road closures and diversion routes to allow avoidance of the roadworks.
Traffic England Live Travel Updates: This facility gives you real-time information about the current state of the road, accidents, and roadblocks. It’s a very useful resource for the last-minute change of your travel itinerary and enables you to make the right choices about your route.
Travel Tips for the Weekend
During the weekend closure, when you plan to travel, the following are useful tips to minimise the disruption:
Plan Ahead: You must search for the latest information about road closures and diversions before you set out. You can refer to the National Highways and local information to get a fair estimate about the probable delay and accordingly make the necessary arrangements.
More Travel Time: Additional travel time should be factored in as the diversion routes and the areas near the closed motorway stretches have heavier traffic. As numerous drivers use alternative routes, leaving earlier than normal is recommended.
Follow Signage: Pay attention to the signs along the motorway and at main junctions, as these will have details regarding diversion, lane closures, and hazards. Diversion routes are indicated well, but you must stay alert as the route often changes.
Stay Current: Keep yourself updated with real-time information about the traffic, either through the dedicated traffic app or through the official website, such that you may change your route in real-time, if necessary.
