J3-4, 28th December
My visit through the M27 widening works on the 28th December, where the new lane has been opened but is subject to a 50mph limit. Here's what it looked like:
Let's be a tiny bit different today: we're joining the M27 westbound at J4 but from the M3. As we enter the almost-finished roadworks, which still have a 50mph SPECS-enforced speed limit, a feast of singage awaits including an unusual 1m ADS for Rownhams services. There's one on the M27 mainline too but only on the westbound side. Presumably it's to make sure those who want the services don't are prepared and don't move over to lane four.
The only other example of this I know of is at Winchester. Maybe it's a southern thing, eh?
Another one-off, we'll pop in to Rownhams services for a quick visit. Notice the sign on the left because there isn't enough space next to the newly-widened carriageway. Why give us the phone number for the roadworks when we're about to go back through them?
The gantry, looking east. If you allow me to briefly slip in to MSA mode I can tell you that the services are in a cutting about two metres below the motorway with a design almost identical to that of several unbuilt services, most noticeably Hatfield.
There wasn't as much space here so what was a grass embankment has become a cliff-edge.
The next six photos aren't of a great quality - it was getting late and the sun was beginning to set.
Getting ready for J3, one of few junctions where even if you want to leave, using the left-hand lane may not take you to where you want to be.
It seems that someone's work wasn't finished in time for Christmas, but we'll let them off because they're a few months ahead of schedule.
At the split. That car to the left was in front of us, but he cut accross the chevrons - yet another one confused by the ghost island.
Now is when we can move over. Looks like a bit more grey panelling is going to be added to that sign.
So what to do other than to turn around and take another look? Queues likely isn't a very good start, is it?
Heading past the services, to the left are two 'chopsticks' signs in the same place. I presume and hope the older one will be removed.
Nearing the bifurcation, and lampposts finally start to appear. To the left is an (out of use) emergency phone and a pollution control valve, which wasn't signed before.
It does feel odd being told to lane hog! That sign reads 'For Marwell Zoological Park follow M27' as 'use J5' would obviously be too confusing. Next to it is a car which is stopped on the hard shoulder, but with little room to spare.
I like the eastbound gantries more than the westbound ones, although for maximum simplicity they should have taken a destination off the M27's sign.
