Travel misery at Eastleigh Station and on the M27 until next week

South Western Railway has announced that passengers should expect delays, cancellations and diverted train journeys until Monday, February 3.

It comes following two days of travel chaos across the region after a freight train derailed at Eastleigh Station.

According to the rail operator, it is dealing with a complex situation after six freight wagons derailed on Tuesday morning.

Parts of the train are yet to be removed and "significant repairs" to the railway infrastructure will need to be done before lines can reopen.

Temporary tracks are reportedly being installed and alterations to the signalling and power supply are expected to take more time.

• Eastleigh train derailment: Disruption expected until at least Thursday

AN SWR spokesperson said: "The railway through Eastleigh remains closed and we apologise to passengers for the ongoing disruption.

"We now expect the majority of services to run from the morning of Monday 3 February, but continue to do everything possible to open the railway sooner.

"We are dealing with a complex situation involving the derailment of six wagons that has taken much longer than was initially expected.

"Following the derailment there is extensive damage to the track and our engineers are working around the clock to get the railway back open as quickly and as safely as possible.

"To do this we are installing temporary track and will make alterations to the signalling and power supply as the full repair will take more time. Passengers should continue to check before travelling."

• Part of M27 to close ahead of Romsey Road Bridge demolition

Meanwhile, motorists are being warned to brace themselves for disruption over the weekend as the M27 will closes.

It will be blocked between junction 3 and 4 from 10pm on January 31 to 5am on February 3 as part of the final phase of a £19m scheme to replace the Romsey Road bridge.

Highway bosses have now said that “severe congestion” is expected.

Residents have been urged to plan their journeys, leave plenty of extra time and consider using alternative modes of transport where possible.

It comes as some motorists will face a 55-mile diversion route while others will be diverted through North Baddesley and Chilworth.

Highways England, which is responsible for the scheme, said all vehicles heading west on the M27 from Portsmouth to Bournemouth will be diverted off at junction 4, up the M3 and the A34, the A303 past Andover, down the A345 into Salisbury and onto the A36 towards the M27 at J2 (Ower).

• 'The sound was horrendous and there was lots of smoke'

Meanwhile, eastbound diversions entail a number of different routes, depending on direction and the type of vehicle. Traffic of any type on the M27 from the A31 and heading towards M27 east will be diverted off at junction 3 up the M271 and A3057 northbound for then joining the A27 eastbound, heading through North Baddesley and Chilworth Roundabout. HGVs on the M27 from the A31 heading for M3/London will also be diverted through North Baddesley to Chilworth Roundabout.