The M27 between Junctions 9 and 11 will reopen ahead of schedule

The M27 motorway will now reopen at 4am on Saturday 3 January 2026 – a full day ahead of the planned opening at 4am on Sunday 4 January. This early completion is the result of effective planning by the project team, a committed workforce working 24/7 right through the festive period and favourable weather conditions.

Over the Christmas and New Year period, a new underpass has been installed beneath the motorway using an innovative ‘box slide’ technique, the work taking 11 days from start to finish! The ‘box slide’ technique has avoided many months of lane and speed restrictions – as well as prolonged and extensive overnight works – and has allowed the motorway to reopen quickly.

This has been an extraordinary team effort, with approximately 130 crew members dedicating around 10,000 hours to complete this complex operation ahead of schedule.

Thank you to road users and local residents for their patience over the closure period.