DRIVERS travelling on the motorways in Hampshire can now see real-time information on how long their journey will take on electronic roadside signs.

The messages will help motorists make more informed decisions about their journeys by telling drivers the expected travel time to specific junctions.

The M3 and M27 are the latest motorways to be covered by the service, which has recently been put in place on several other major motorways across the country.

Roads minister Tom Harris said: "We are making best use of our technology to help drivers find out about traffic conditions on their route, both before they leave and during their journey.

"Displaying journey times on electronic signs gives drivers greater certainty about the time it will take them to get to their destinations.

"It also helps them to consider options such as changing their route or taking a break if there are traffic delays on the road ahead."

The system works by using current information captured from automatic numberplate recognition cameras and comparing it with historical traffic data on that particular stretch of motorway.

The travel time is automatically recalculated every five minutes, but if an incident causes delays on the motorway above a pre-determined threshold, the sign will automatically switch from showing the travel time to displaying the estimated delay time.

If the sign (pictured) is needed to display an important safety message, the travel or delay time will be over-written.

This new service follows a successful trial in the West Midlands and South West which has proved very popular with motorists, with 89 per cent of those questioned stating that they thought they were a good idea.

This is one of three new information services being launched by the Highways Agency.

Traffic Radio lets drivers hear the latest traffic news on England's motorways and major A roads and is available on DAB digital radio and on the internet at www.trafficradio.org.uk

CCTV pictures will also be made available to the media and the general public by spring 2008, so that people can check the conditions on the road before they leave home or work.