A HAMPSHIRE motorway will be closed throughout this weekend as part of roadworks aimed at improving journey times.

The motorway is now shut between junctions two and three in both directions until 5.30am on Monday, May 8.

The works are part of a number taking place on Hampshire's motorways over the next week.

There will also be resurfacing work on the M3 near Basingstoke and lane closures near Chilworth roundabout.

The work planned for this week are as follows:

M3 junctions 2 (M25) to 4a Farnborough, Hampshire:

Smart motorway improvement Work to reduce congestion and improve journey times continues this week between junctions 2 and 4a with narrow lanes and a 50mph speed limit in place on both carriageways, with a free recovery service operating 24 hours a day.

The southbound carriageway between junctions 2 and 4a including the M25 junction 12 entry slip to the M3 southbound and M25 junction 12 anti-clockwise link road to the M3 southbound including junctions 2, 3 and 4 entry slips and junctions 3, 4 and 4a exit slips will be closed overnight, between 8pm and 5.30am on Tuesday 2 May for three nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via:

⦁ M3 southbound junction 2 to M25 junction 13 via A30 to A327 to M3 junction 4a

⦁ M25 clockwise junction 13 via A30 to A327 to M3 junction 4a

⦁ M25 anti clockwise junction 13 via A30 to A327 to M3 junction 4a

The northbound carriageway between junction 4a and 2 including junction 4a, 4 and 3 entry slips, junction 3 exit slip and the M3 junction 2 slip road to the M25 clockwise and M3 junction 2 link road to M25 anti-clockwise will be closed overnight, between 8pm and 5.30am on Tuesday 2 May for three nights.

A clearly signed diversion will be in place via: M3 junction 4a to A327 to A30 to M25 junction 13 to M3 junction 2 northbound.

The southbound carriageway between junctions 3 and 4a including junctions 3 and 4 entry slips and junctions 4 and 4a exit slips will be closed overnight, between 8pm and 7am on Friday 5 May. A clearly signed diversion will be in place: M3 junction 3 to A322 to A30 to A327 to M3 junction 4a

The northbound carriageway between junction 4a and 3 including junction 4a entry slip, junction 4 entry and exit slips and junction 3 exit slip will be closed overnight, between 8pm and 7am on Friday 5 May. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via: M3 northbound junction 4a to A327 to A30 to A322 to M3 junction 3

Full weekend closure

The northbound and southbound carriageways between junctions 2 to 3 including M25 clockwise and anti-clockwise link roads to M3 southbound and northbound and junction 3 entry and exit slips will be closed over the weekend between 9pm Friday 5 May and 5.30am Monday 8 May. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via:

Northbound

Traffic travelling northbound on the M3 intending to travel towards Gatwick, Dartford and the main Ferry Ports will leave the M3 at junction 4. Diverted traffic will follow the A331/A31/A3 to re-join the M25 at junction 10.

Traffic travelling to Heathrow, Central London or clockwise on the M25 will leave the M3 at junction 3 and follow the A322 and A329M to join the M4 at Junction 10. Diverted traffic will follow the M4 to access Central London or re-join the M25 at M4 junction 4B for Heathrow or to re-join the M3 at Junction 2.

Southbound

Traffic travelling southbound on the M3 from Central London will leave the M3 at junction 2. Diverted traffic will follow the M25 to junction 15 and join the M4 to travel west. Diverted traffic will have the option of using the A329M (J10) to access the Bagshot area, the A33 (J11) to access the Basingstoke area or the A34 (J13) to access the Winchester/Southampton areas.

Traffic travelling anticlockwise on the M25 intending to travel south on the M3 will join the M4 at M25 Junction 15.  Traffic travelling clockwise on the M25 intending to travel south on the M3 will join the A3 at M25 Junction 10 and follow the A3, A31 and A331 to re-join the M3 at junction 4.

M3 junction 7 to 6 Basingstoke, Hampshire:

Resurfacing Work to improve journeys by resurfacing a section of the northbound carriageway starts this week.  The M3 northbound carriageway will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, from Tuesday 2 May for 3 weeks (Monday to Friday only).  A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A30 Winchester Road, Ringway South and A339.

M3 junction 8 Popham, Hampshire:

Bridge strengthening Work to maintain journeys by replacing bridge bearings and supports continues this week. Narrow lanes and a 50mph speed restriction are in place on the link from the M3 southbound to the A303 westbound 24/7 until May.

The M3 southbound carriageway will be closed from junction 7 to junction 9 overnight, between 9pm and 6am, on Wednesday 3 May.  A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A303 and A34.

M3 junction 14/Chilworth Link, Hampshire:

Street lighting Work to maintain safety by carrying out street lighting maintenance around junction 14 and the link to Chilworth roundabout takes place this week.  Lane closures will be in place on the north and southbound links overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Wednesday 3 May for 3 nights.