MOTORISTS are experiencing heavy delays on the M3 and roads around Winchester after two crashes on the M3 and two broken down vehicles this afternoon.
Traffic is building on the southbound carriageway after a collision between junctions 10 and 11 near Twyford Down. The emergency services are at the scene. It is unclear if anyone was injured.
#M3 Southbound - Lane 2 has now been CLEARED but Lane 3 remains BLOCKED between J10/#A31 #Winchester and J11/A3090 #Winchester due to the ongoing RTI, approx. 45 mins delay from #Winchester Services. pic.twitter.com/SrbP9kX0HB
— ROMANSE (@ROMANSE) December 23, 2021
Traffic has been diverting into Winchester to avoid the congestion on the M3 and A34. The accident comes at a bad time, just before the evening rush hour and on a day when many people are travelling before the Christmas holidays.
As well as the crash on the southbound section there is also a broken down vehicle amid the congestion which is worsening the tailbacks, according to National Highways, of five miles or more and elays of 20-30 minutes.
#M3 west/southbound at J10 (#Winchester). 2 lanes (of 3) closed due to a broken down car in the congestion for the earlier incident at J11. Allow plenty of extra time if you're heading that way. Delays for 5 miles due to both incidents: https://t.co/oSk7rI3tuQ
— National Highways: South-East (@HighwaysSEAST) December 23, 2021
The broken down vehicles on the #M3 west/southbound at J10 have been removed and all lanes are open. Note there remains a lane closure at J11 #Winchester for the recovery of a car which crashed earlier. Long delays remain of 30 mins and congestion from J8. Allow extra time.
It follows a crash on the M3 northbound near Eastleigh earlier this afternoon and an incident on the A34 just north of Winchester.
Traffic tailed back from Junction 9 at Winnall south past Otterbourne towards Eastleigh.
#A34 Northbound - One lane BLOCKED between A33 Basingstoke Rd #KingsWorthy and A272/Three Maids Hill #WorthyDown due to an incident (possible breakdown), delays on approach. pic.twitter.com/Cpoum1Ki5K
— ROMANSE (@ROMANSE) December 23, 2021
The ROMANSE traffic management system reported an incident, possibly a breakdown blocking one lane, on the A34 between A33 Basingstoke Road near Kings Worthy and the A272 at Three Maids Hill near Littleton.
The congestion around Winchester. Image: ROMANSE
SEE ALSO: Fly-tipping in Winchester: Record level of incidents reported
People heading home for Christmas have increased to amount of traffic on the roads.
The blockage was cleared but the tailbacks took time to disappear.
The latest blockage has now been cleared and traffic is flowing smoothly.
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