Motorists face a major M27 closure between Junctions 9 and 11 during the Christmas period, with both directions shut from 24 December to 4 January, causing anticipated severe delays on diversion routes.
Hampshire authorities are urging drivers to prepare now for the 11-day closure, which will affect travel across the Fareham and Gosport areas throughout the festive season.
The motorway will close completely in both directions from 8pm on Christmas Eve until 4am on Sunday 4 January 2026, whilst construction teams install a new underpass using an innovative engineering method.
The shutdown enables workers to position a massive pre-constructed concrete structure beneath the motorway—a technique that avoids months of lane restrictions and overnight roadworks that would otherwise be necessary.
Councillor Lulu Bowerman, Hampshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “We’ve timed this work for the holiday period when traffic volumes are typically lower. However, we understand this is an important time of year, and nobody wants Christmas travel disruption. With nearly a month’s notice, we’re encouraging everyone to review their travel plans and consider how this closure might affect their journeys. Expect significant delays on the A27 diversion and surrounding roads, particularly around Fareham and Gosport. Consider public transport, adjusting travel times, alternative routes, or whether your journey is essential.”
During the M27 closure, a signposted diversion will operate along the A27, which predominantly features two lanes in each direction. This route is expected to experience heavy congestion daily.
Westbound traffic can exit at Junction 11 for Fareham and Gosport, whilst eastbound vehicles can leave at Junction 9 for Whiteley and Park Gate. However, westbound entry towards Southampton or the A32 (Alton) will be unavailable at Junction 11, and eastbound access towards Portsmouth will be closed at Junction 9.
Hampshire County Council has implemented several initiatives to minimise traffic chaos:
- Pre-emptive inspections and maintenance completed on the A27, with a moratorium on planned roadworks during December and January
- Advanced warning signs across major routes including the M25, M3, M4, A3, A27 and A34
- Real-time traffic monitoring with updates on electronic message boards
- Adjusted traffic signal timings at critical points including Junctions 9 and 11
- Free vehicle recovery on the official diversion route, with temporary parking restrictions ensuring swift removal of broken-down vehicles
- Coordination between Hampshire emergency services and local councils
The £100 million-plus scheme is being delivered by Hampshire County Council alongside National Highways, with full funding from the Buckland Group (developer of Welborne Garden Village) and Homes England.
During the closure, construction teams will slide an 8,500-tonne pre-fabricated concrete structure—2.5 times heavier than HMS Victory—65 metres into a trench carved through the motorway embankment. The motorway surface will then be reconstructed above it.
The completed underpass will accommodate four traffic lanes (two per direction) plus a shared walking and cycling path, connecting Fareham with the Welborne Garden Village development.
Additional highway improvements around Junction 10 are being delivered to support Welborne Garden Village, which will provide up to 6,000 homes alongside educational and community facilities near Fareham. Planning conditions stipulate that no more than 1,160 homes can be occupied before the new ‘all-moves’ Junction 10 becomes operational.
The two-year construction project is scheduled to open to traffic in winter 2026.
