MOTORISTS face long delays on the M3 south of Winchester following a series of accidents on the M27 this morning (Wednesday, December 23).

Traffic is tailing back from the southbound carriageway’s junction with the M27 amid treacherous driving conditions across the county.

Twenty vehicles were involved in an accident on the westbound M27 at around 7am. A number of minor injuries were reported but no one was seriously hurt in the incident But it forced police to close the carriageway at the Rownhams services, just past junction three to the M3, in order to recover the cars that had skidded on the treacherous icy roads and allow gritters to access the area.

A number of minor injuries were reported but no one was seriously hurt in the incident that happened just before 7am today.

There has also been a spate of accidents on the eastbound M27 with several sections closed, including the carriageway between junction three at Nursling and junction four at Chilworth.

The carriageway between junction nine at Whiteley and junction eight at Bursledon is also currently closed after a multi-vehicle accident.

Overnight rainfall washing away salt and grit, coupled with sub zero temperatures later on, have made driving conditions hazardous, especially in the southern parishes.

The A334 at Shedfield has been closed between the Church Road and Chapel Lane junctions after two vehicles were involved in a collision earlier this morning.