THIS is the gruelling 58 mile diversion motorists will have to face this weekend as the M27 is set to be close.

As previously reported, the M27 will be closed from junctions three to five from 10pm on Friday to allow work to demolish the Romsey Road bridge.

READ: M27 closure will CLASH with rail works this weekend

Westbound traffic faces a huge 58 mile diversion, driving up as far as Andover and the A303, out to Salisbury and back round to Southampton.

Eastbound traffic will face a diversion onto the A27 through North Baddersley to continue on the M27 or through Romsey on the A3090 for the M3.

Hampshire Chronicle:

(Picture by Romanse)

And while some traffic may instead opt to use smaller local routes - clogging up Southampton and Romsey roads in the process - larger traffic will likely face the full diversion.

This will turn a ten-minute drive into a two-hour loop of Hampshire.

Hampshire Chronicle:

The M27 will close from 10pm tonight.

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