M3 Junction 9 overnight piling works to cause disruption

National Highways has announced plans to begin overnight work on the M3 junction 9 improvements, starting on Thursday, March 26, and continuing across four nights.

The operation will centre on constructing the new southwest subway.

Due to its proximity to the live carriageway, the subway requires sheet-piling (a procedure known for generating significant noise levels) to be completed at night. These works also necessitate temporary lane or carriageway closures.

A National Highways spokesperson said: “Sheet piling work is only done overnight in exceptional circumstances.

“It was not safe to do this alongside live traffic, so carrying out the work overnight when we have lane closures was the safest and most practicable solution.

“We always do our best to minimise disruption and apologise for any disturbance caused while we are working close to people’s homes.”

Aerial shot of M3 Junction 9 (Image: Rob Follett Creative/A View Through The Lens)

On March 26 and 27, during the night, contractors will pre-auger the ground in preparation which includes loosening the ground for more efficient sheet piling.

This will be followed by the installation of metal sheet piles on the subsequent two nights, March 28 and 29. These activities are said to start at 9pm and finish by 6am.

However, National Highways aims to complete the sheet-piling activity by 11pm on Sunday, March 29.

The agency has written to households to confirm the work being undertaken.

Roadworks on the M3, are being carried out by National Highways as part of the new junction nine scheme, which has seen millions of pounds injected into the improvement of the junction, and is forecasted to be complete by 2030.