Motorists have been urged to plan ahead, as National Highways announces road closures set to come into effect at the end of May.  The southbound carriageway of the M271 will be closed between the Rownhams Interchange (M27 Junction 3) and Junction 1, also known as the Nursling Interchange. The closure will be in effect from 9pm on May 30 until 6 m on June 2.

Access from Junction 1 at Nursling will also be restricted during this period. According to National Highways, the closure is necessary for safety reasons while contractors carry out maintenance work, including the replacement of concrete blocks. A diversion route will direct drivers north on the M271, south on the A3057, and then west along Brownhill Way.

The closure order comes into effect on May 28 and will remain valid for up to 18 months, although construction is expected to be completed over a single weekend.

For more information, drivers can access the official public notice on the National Highways website.

Clear signage will also be installed to show both the temporary closures and the designated detour route. Contractors will carry out the work on behalf of National Highways.

For more information, the public can reach the National Highways Customer Contact Centre by calling 0300 123 5000 or by emailing info@nationalhighways.co.uk.

This follows the start of major gas works in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, where local residents are set to face nearly six months of diversions.

The project, led by gas distribution company SGN, will see 2.2 miles of gas mains replaced along Upper Grosvenor Road.

SGN said: "It's part of a 30-year programme to replace our old metal mains, which are reaching the end of their useful lives, with new plastic pipe."

The gas network upgrades were greenlit to provide an efficient and safe gas supply to residents, they added.

Diversions will be put in place to alert motorists, and vehicle access for locals will continue to be accommodated.