WORK to add a fourth lane to the M27 is expected to start early next year.

The project will see the hard shoulder between Junction 4 and Junction 11 be converted into an extra lane to reduce congestion.

A spokesman for Highways England said: “At present, we anticipate work construction will begin on the M27 smart motorway in early 2018, with work completed in 2020.”

The M27, which runs from Portsmouth to the New Forest, is part of the authority’s ‘smart’ motorway project, which it intends to carry out over the next five years.

Highways England added that congestion on the motorway and major road network in England costs an esti¬mated £2billion every year.

The hard shoulder on the M27 will be converted to a traffic lane and signs will tell drivers what speed to drive at if lanes are blocked or closed, and about incidents ahead.

Suella Fernandes, MP for Fareham, said: "Good roads are vital for enabling businesses to grow, supporting the regional economy and improving people’s quality of life.

"But for years chronic congestion along parts of the M27 has been a major concern for local people, it’s become one of the top issues people in Fareham contact me about.

"So I absolutely welcome the news that work to upgrade the M27 to a smart motorway will start in early 2018 – which will cut congestion and improve journey times.

"Turning the stretch from Junction 4 to Junction 11 M27 into a smart motorway means people will have more efficient, reliable and safer journeys - we’ve seen smart motorways work very well in other parts of the country, like on the M42 and M25.

"This highlights the Government’s commitment to invest in and improve our transport infrastructure, support growth and bring jobs to Fareham and the South.”

About 120,000 vehicles a day use the 30-mile road.