Northbound M3 will be closed at junction 6 (Black Dam Interchange, for Basingstoke) from 9pm tonight, Highway England has announced.

Road users are advised to plan ahead if they wish to use the northbound M3 in Hampshire this weekend.

Drivers making essential journeys and travelling north have to take an ‘up and over’ diversion off the M3 junction 6 exit slip road to re-join the motorway using the entry slip road.

The closure is as part of their essential maintenance to complete work on the drainage system around the junction.

The motorway will reopen only at 6m on Monday (February 22).

In a statement, Highway England said: “Road users are being advised to plan ahead if they wish to use the northbound M3 in Hampshire this weekend as it will be closed at junction 6 (Black Dam Interchange, for Basingstoke) for essential maintenance.

“The motorway will be closed to complete work on the drainage system around the junction. The closure will take place from 9pm Friday 19 February until 6am Monday 22 February.”

Remember, please only travel if it is essential for you to do so.

Under the current lockdown restricitons, residents are urged not to travel unless for one of a few limited reasons including work (where they cannot work from home), medical appointments, essential shopping, and chilcare/support bubble arrangements.