HIGHWAYS chiefs have warned motorists that 50mph speed limits remain in force on the M27 despite the removal of speed cameras.

The cameras have been taken down following the completion of major works to add a fourth lane to the motorway between junctions 3 at Nursling and 4, the interchange with the M3.

But the Highways Agency said some remaining cabling work for the roadside telephones was preventing them from restoring speed limits to 70mph.

The £36m road-widening project is intended to improve reliability of journeys and ease congestion caused by the 120,000 cars that use the motorway.

The roadworks started in February, and were scheduled to take 14 months. It is still two ahead of schedule.