A busy motorway used by thousands of drivers each day has only been fully open on one in every four days in the past six years.

The M27 was fully open for only 26 per cent of the time between January 2019 and the end of October 2024, according to new data.

The motorway is an arterial route through southern Hampshire that connects Southampton and Portsmouth.

It is also a main route used to travel to Bournemouth, Winchester, and other cities and towns further afield.

But in the past five years, the motorway has been blighted by closures and roadworks, from its transformation to a smart motorway to the ongoing resurfacing works.

A Freedom of Information request submitted to National Highways by the Echo revealed that from January 2019 to October 2024, the motorway was fully open for just 554 days out of 2131 days.

This includes closures on M27 slip roads and overnight closures.

Southampton taxi driver Perry McMillan said the consistent closures have a lasting impact on the city – and his business.

But National Highways said their job is to “keep the country moving” and all closures are planned carefully.

'M27 closures impact Southampton' 

The data from National Highways revealed 2021 to be the worst year for closures on the M27 in recent times.

Of the 365 days, the motorway was only fully open for 47 days, with closures in force on every day in February, March and June.

The M27 was only fully open for one day in October 2021.

Throughout the year, motorists were urged to plan ahead as work on the smart motorway continued.

Travellers had some reprieve once this work was completed in 2022 but delays soon ramped up again for resurfacing works.

Numerous noise complaints prompted the resurfacing of the stretch between junction five at Eastleigh to seven at Hedge End.

Crews working on the M27 resurfacing Crews working on the M27 resurfacing (Image: NQ) Workers are currently focusing on two lanes on the westbound carriage of the M27 between the two junctions.

READ MORE: M27 resurfacing works: Getting a glimpse behind the barrier

The hope is for the resurfacing to be completed by the summer of 2026.

But for Perry McMillan, the end is not yet in sight.

He said: “Any disruption to the M27 – including accidents - has a knock-on effect on roads in Southampton.

“This then has an impact on my work as I get caught up in the traffic a lot of the time.

“There are a few of us cabbies who do long journeys and we use the M27 regularly, especially when driving for cruise ship passengers.

“So, all these closures on the M27 do impact us as well.”

Perry added: “I have noticed an increase in closures on the M27 and following delays in the last five years.

“When I’m driving in Southampton, I can always tell that motorway traffic is bad as it impacts Mansbridge Road and Woodmill Lane.

“Closures and congestion do seem to be happening more often, and I want the government to properly fund work that sorts the M27 out so people can travel more easily.”

The effect M27 closures can have on the rest of the city was evident in October, when National Highways closed Junction 7 as part of the resurfacing works.

Traffic backed up into the city which quickly became gridlocked.

How many days has the M27 been fully open for?

2019 – 109 of 365 days. The busiest months for road closures were February and October.

2020 - 55 of the 366 (leap year) days. September, July February and March were the busiest months.

2021 – 47 of the 365 days. February, June and March of this year had closures every day.

2022 – 87 of the 365 days. In March, there was only one day where the motorway was fully open.

2023 – 139 of the 365 days. The M27 was only fully open for three days in October of last year.

2024 – 117 of the 305 days (data applies up to October 2024). So far this year, September has been the busiest month, with the M27 fully open for just four days.

READ NEXT: Plans revealed for facility to support major M27 scheme

Paul Holmes, Conservative MP for Hamble Valley, said: "It is fair to say that the M27 has undergone a lot of work over the last few years.

"This is because of the smart motorway works and the resurfacing works. These couldn’t be done at the same time.

"Once works are completed the carriageway will be quieter and more efficient.

"This follows hundreds of people contacting me as the MP for Eastleigh about noise and loud driving."

National Highways reiterated that the work undertaken is to improve the network and the experience of drivers.

A spokesperson said: “Our job is to keep the country moving and we plan all our closures extremely carefully to minimise disruption, often doing so overnight, or when traffic levels are at their lowest.

“We always ensure signs are placed around the network – both locally and on connected routes – in advance of any closures, as well as publishing information on our website and in the media to raise awareness within the local community.”