WORKS to resurface a section of the M27 - and make the road quieter - have been delayed.

The project to replace noisy concrete between Junction 5 and Junction 7 with low-noise asphalt was initially scheduled to begin this spring. 

But due to the scale of the project, work to reduce noise near Hedge End, West End, Eastleigh and Fair Oak won't start until the autumn.

The works follow years of complaints from residents, with people in West End saying the noise stopped them from sleeping. 

Daily Echo: Eastleigh MP, Paul Holmes at the M27. Eastleigh MP, Paul Holmes at the M27.

The updated timetable for the works was confirmed by roads minister, Richard Holden, during a visit to Eastleigh earlier this week.

READ MORE: Work to make M27 'quieter' gets the go-ahead

He said: "It's quite unbelievable just how noisy it is. I'm delighted it's going ahead. Sorry it's been delayed a little bit."

Drainage and central reservation work will be carried out at the same time with the project expected to last 18 months. 

It is part of a £400m government programme to fix concrete roads across the UK.

National highways previously said initial repairs would start in January 2022 with the actual resurfacing set to begin in spring this year. But a fixed date is yet to be set. 

READ MORE: Work to make concrete part of M27 quieter starting in January

Paul Holmes, MP for Eastleigh, said: "This is a project I have been campaigning on ever since I was elected, and I am pleased that the final works will be going ahead in the Autumn to finally deliver on this promise.

"I am incredibly grateful to all those who have supported this campaign including the Minister, West End County Councillor, Steve Broomfield, and Jerry Hall." 

Mr Holmes said workers have been preparing the site for the past year and the resurfacing should be complete by early 2025. 

He said disruption should be "minimal" with only one lane of the motorway being closed at one time.