M3 closure: motorway shut in Surrey, when it opens, junctions closed, diversion route and traffic

M3 is closed near Camberley this weekend
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A major motorway remains closed due to emergency roadworks.

The M3 is shut northbound in Surrey all weekend.

Lanes were also closed westbound on the motorway in Hampshire yesterday (6 August) - with drivers facing 60 minute delays.

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National Highways advises it could cause knock-on delays on the M25 this weekend.

Here is all you need to know:

Where and when is the M3 closed?

The M3 will be closed northbound this weekend.

It will be shut from junction 4 to junction 3 - near Camberley.

The closure is in Surrey.

The motorway is closed from 9pm on 5 August to 6am on 8 August.

Lanes 1 and 2 were closed westbound between J4a near (Farnborough) and J5 near (Hook) - but have since opened.

Why is it closed?

M3 is shut for emergency repairworks.

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National Highways has warned there is potential for disruption due to the closure.

The westbound closure was due to a vehicle fire.

M3 motorway in Camberley, Surrey. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)M3 motorway in Camberley, Surrey. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
M3 motorway in Camberley, Surrey. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

What has National Highways said?

In a post on social media, National Highways - South East wrote: “Reminder the #M3 is closed northbound this weekend in #Surrey.

“Allow extra time if travelling to London and #M25. Closure from J4 - J3 near Camberley. A signed diversion is in place via the A30 London Road.”

National Highways explains about the Hampshire closure: “There are long delays on the M3 westbound between J4a near (Farnborough) and J5 near (Hook) due to a vehicle fire. Lanes 1 and 2 are currently closed.“There is currently 8 miles of congestion on approach to these lane closures causing 65 minute delays above normal travel time.“Road users are advised to plan their journeys in advance, allow extra time and consider alternative routes if possible.”

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In an update, National Highways said: “All lanes have now reopened on the #M3 westbound between J4A (#Farnborough) and J5 (#Hook) following the earlier vehicle fire.

“There is still approx. 5 miles of congestion on approach, causing delays of 60 minutes above usual journey times.”

What is the diversion route?

A signed diversion is in place via the A30 London Road, motorists have been advised.

There is not currently a diversion in place for the westbound closures.

Is there traffic in the area?

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National Highways advised: “Allow extra time if travelling to London and #M25.”

When did the M3 open and how long is it?

The M3 runs from Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, to Eastleigh, Hampshire.

It is approximately 59 miles (95 km) long.

The M3 includes major towns and cities including Aldershot and the surrounding urban area, Basingstoke, Winchester, and Southampton.

It was originally approved as the “London to Basingstoke” motorway.

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The M3 was constructed as a dual three-lane motorway except for its two-lane section between junction 8 (A303) and junction 9.

The motorway was opened in phase, starting with the eastern section from 1971 onwards.

This stretched from Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey to Popham near Basingstoke: starting with the Hampshire section in 1971 and then the Surrey section in 1974.

It has been reported that the cost of this first section was £46m.

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The completed M3 eastern section acts were as a continuation of the A316 Country Way, an express three-lane road from Apex Corner, Hanworth, in Greater London to Sunbury-on-Thames.

The southern section of the motorway came later, following an inquiry called “M3 London to Basingstoke Motorway: Popham to Compton extension”.

It was first held in 1971 and then again from 1976 to 1977.

The southern section of the M3 was finally completed in 1995.

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It was built in two sections from ‘Popham to Bridget’s Farm’ and then again from ‘Bridget’s Farm to Bar End’.

According to reports from 2008, the busiest section of the motorway carried a daily average of around 130,000 vehicles.

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