MOTORISTS are being urged to "plan ahead" as lane closures come into effect on a busy motorway.

National Highways is advising drivers travelling on the M3 in Surrey and Hampshire to plan ahead as a series of overnight lane closures will be in place between junctions 2 (M25) and 4a (Fleet) starting next week.

The work will be carried out in lanes one and two of the southbound all-lane running section of the M3. Work will involve the removal and infill of manhole covers.

Contractors will also be using traffic management to plant trees along the verges of the M3, carry out litter picking activities and any required cleaning to the emergency refuge areas.

From Monday, May 23, to Friday, June 17, overnight lane closures will be in place from 9pm to 6am, with one lane remaining open to traffic.

Works will not take place between May 31 and June 5 due to the Jubilee bank holiday weekend.

Lane 1 will be kept closed during the day, to allow excavations and infill material to cure, which will start from junction 2.

Access to all junctions on the southbound M3 will remain open and the lane closure will be removed once all work is completed.

Only short stretches of the southbound carriageway will be closed at any time – the lane closures will not be in place for the entire stretch between junctions 2 and 4a.

Delays are expected through the lane closures so people are advised to allow additional time for their journeys.

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