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.

 

 

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

Hampshire Chronicle:

The congestion around Winchester. Image: ROMANSE

 

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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.