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M3 Winchester closed: 'Thousands of drivers stranded' | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A section of the M3 motorway has been closed in both directions after reports of "potential hazardous material" on the road, police have said. | |
Thousands of motorists are reported to be stranded on the motorway and surrounding roads. | |
Police said a bomb disposal team was at the scene of the closure between junctions nine and 11 at Winchester. | |
The incident was first reported at about 04:00 BST. Motorists have been advised to find alternative routes. | |
No-one is believed to have been hurt. | |
Hampshire Constabulary said officers were working with fire crews and the Ministry of Defence's Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team to establish what the material is. | |
"We will endeavour to get the material cleared as soon as possible," the force added. | |
Highways England has warned motorists to expect long delays as the motorway is expected to remain closed for several hours. | |
It also tweeted to warn football fans travelling to the Southampton match against Manchester United of the "heavy traffic". | |
BBC reporter Toby Wadey at the scene | |
It's absolute chaos on the roads. Motorists are switching off their engines and getting out of their cars. | |
It took me three hours to travel 10 miles. I've since abandoned a trip from Basingstoke to Bournemouth. | |
We were diverted off the M3 at the Winnall roundabout. | |
It took more than an hour just to get round the roundabout with people switching lanes and stopping in yellow junction boxes. | |
When I returned to an empty M3 northbound, the scene on the other side of the carriageway consisted of miles of queues, with thousands of motorists stranded. | |
Stranded motorists have taken to social media to express their frustration. | |
@neeshy_ tweeted: "Part of the M3 is closed. I'm going to be late. And I've just spilled hot coffee on myself. Shaping up to be a brilliant day" | |
Jim Hall said: "Stuck at Winchester Services M3 South, if the roads been closed since 4am why did they let us on if no way of getting off." |