M27 Portsmouth crash recap: Serious collision closes motorway as air ambulance called
A serious crash on a major British motorway saw a major roadway closed in both directions overnight as an air ambulance attended the scene. The M27 was shut in both directions between Southampton and Portsmouth, with Hampshire emergency services attending the scene[1] between J11 and J12 in the early hours of Tuesday, January 6. The motorway has since been reopened.
This is no longer an ongoing incident. You can see the updates as they happened in our now-closed blog down below.
05:14Rachel Vickers-PriceMotorway fully reopened
All lanes have now reopened on the M27, National Highways confirms. Traffif travelling both east and west now have full access to the major roadway, which had previously been closed between J11 Southampton and J12 Portsmouth.
A National Highways spokesperson said: "All lanes are now open in both directions with no delays in the area."
04:51Rachel Vickers-PriceConfirmed: Westbound lanes reopened
The M27 eastbound between J11 Southampton and J12 Portsmouth remains partially closed. National Highways confirmed that two lanes are closed while police finalise their investigation. "The westbound carriageway has reopened.
The eastbound carriageway will reopen fully once police work is complete," a National Highways spokesperson said.
03:01Rachel Vickers-PricePart of M27 reopened after serious crash
Two of the M27 eastbound lanes remain closed between junctions J11 and J12. One lane is now open to traffic. A National Highways spokesperson said: "Normal traffic conditions are expected between 5.45am and 6am on 6 January 2026." Congestion is expected to clear in the area by 6.30am.
Access for westbound traffic appears to have been green lit for motorists, as the closure has now vanished from the National Highways website. The Mirror has been unable to confirm this, with traffic cameras and CCTV in the area taken offline by emergency crews.
02:26Rachel Vickers-PriceMore detail to follow as incident ongoing
National Highways raised the alarm just before 3am to the current closure. The roadway administration agency has issued the below alert to motorists travelling in the South East:
More to come, as this is an ongoing incident.
02:23Rachel Vickers-PriceDiversions in place as National Highways data indicates restoration time
Traffic is expected to return to normal by 5am, as per National Highways data. Estimated restoration times to the motorway are subject to change, however, as this is an ongoing incident. Diversion routes are currently in place, National Highways have confirmed, however full detail on said diversions remains unclear.
02:18Rachel Vickers-PriceMotorway closed as emergency crews respond
The M27 has been closed to both east and westbound traffic between junctions J12 and J11.
The closure comes in the wake of a serious crash.
A National Highways confirmed the closure. "This is due to a serious incident Hampshire emergency services are dealing with."
First responders are currently at the scene and an air ambulance is en route.
References
- ^ emergency services attending the scene (www.mirror.co.uk)