M27 works 'cost us millions' as route reopens

The boss of a global haulage firm has said the two-year lane closures on part of one of the south coast's busiest roads has cost the firm £2.4m.

National Highways' work to resurface the M27 between junction five at Eastleigh and junction seven at Hedge End first began in 2024. It fully reopened from 06:00 BST, although a temporary 50mph limit is expected to be in place until the end of June.

Speaking ahead of its reopening, Bob Terris, from the Southampton-based haulage firm Meachers Global Logistics, said he was "relieved" the "critical" route would be back up and running.

National Highways praised motorists' "patience" and said the works would create "smoother, quieter and safer" journeys.

Terris estimated the disruption had cost the company, which runs 60 lorries in the Southampton area each day, £2.4m.

"We know exactly what it costs for the trucks, we know how much time we're losing - it's not rocket science, it's a lot of money," he said.

Terris, who began working at Meachers in 1962 and went on to own the company, welcomed the resurfacing project but bemoaned the economic impact.

"It's reduced the productivity of the vehicles, so our costs are higher, and our revenues lower because we don't get paid if they're not moving," he explained.

"It's not just the trucks, it's the admin, the telecom, the systems and everything [you have to do] to accommodate all this.

"It's an absolutely huge thing, but we're only one company, just multiply this across the whole region and see how much it's costing."

Professional magician Darren Snelgar said the traffic caused by the roadworks had been a problem as he has been travelling to gigs

"It's been a bit of a nightmare, with the traffic building up every night around about three, half-past three, so it's been a right pain," he said.

The two-year £83m project to upgrade the motorway, which runs between the New Forest and Portsmouth, first began in March 2024.

It came as part of a National Highways scheme to replace routes built using concrete with asphalt to reduce noise and ensure the road lasted longer.

It has also involved work to improve drainage and strengthen the central reservation.

Richard Scrase, programme delivery manager at National Highways, said they were "grateful" for motorists' "continued patience".

"These improvements have created a smoother, quieter and safer journey for drivers, while helping the road last for generations to come," he added.