TRAFFIC on the M3 near Winchester will be diverted overnight for six nights to allow for resurfacing.

The improvements will take place between junction seven at Basingstoke and junction nine at Winnall overnight between Tuesday August 6 until the morning of Wednesday August 14.

Guy Watts, of the Highways Agency, said: “Once this work is complete road users will notice smoother journeys. The work involves sealing joints in the concrete carriageway in both directions and installing new road surfaces at Tower Hill Bridge and on the M3 junction seven northbound exit slip road."

Mr Watts added: “We will be carrying out the work overnight, when traffic flows are lowest, and in each direction separately to minimise disruption for drivers. Clearly signed diversion routes will be in place in advance as road users approach the junctions.”

The overnight resurfacing will be carried out southbound for two nights on Tuesday and Wednesday August 6-7 and then northbound for four nights from Thursday August 8 to Tuesday August 13, with no work at the weekend. Overnight working will be carried out between 10pm-6am.

During the southbound work, drivers will be diverted off at the M3 at junction seven, along the A30 and A303 to the A34 Bullington Cross and south to the M3 junction nine.

Northbound traffic will be diverted off the M3 at junction nine, along the A34 to Bullington Cross, and along A303 to A30 to the M3 junction seven.