- Traffic on the A31 with one lane closed.
- This follows discovery of a woman's body nearby
- Follow for more updates
At 6.20pm, National Highways posted on social media that the A31 westbound was being reopened between J2 of the M27 and the A338 at Ashley Heath.
The post said: “Lane 1 of the A31 will remain closed at this time whilst Police investigation works continue.
“Expect delays on approach if you're travelling in the area this evening.”
National Highways has released a traffic bulletin warning motorists of the closure to the A31
"National Highways is advising motorists to allow more time for their journeys following the closure of the A31 Westbound between Junction 2 of the M27 and A338 near Ashley Heath at Ringwood this evening.
"The latest closure, put in place at 5.30pm, is due to an ongoing police-led incident.
"Local diversions are in place with motorists advised to plan ahead, avoid the area if possible or allow more time for their journeys.
"Further information and updates are available from National Highways by visiting www.trafficengland.com and the Twitter account @HighwaysSEAST."
Confirmation from National Highways that the A31 has now closed again, from Junction 2 of the M27.
It will last a minimum of two hours.
As a result of an ongoing @hantspolice incident, the #A31 westbound will be closed between J2 of the #M27 and the #A338 at #AshleyHeath near #Ringwood.
— National Highways: South-East (@HighwaysSEAST) June 8, 2025
This closure is being implemented now and is expected to last a minimum of two hours but is subject to change by Police. pic.twitter.com/EdZB9T5fDS
The motorist said: "I've just driven past the A31. I was one of the last vehicles before it was closed.
"The police started to weave behind me and stop all the other traffic while they diverted the carriageway off at Lyndhurst junction.
"There is a lot of vehicles next to the incident. And I saw at least 8 people fully suited in forensics outfits."
A31 has closed again, eyewitness says
An eyewitness has told the Echo that the A31 has closed again at Cadnam.
He said he saw eight police officers wearing forensics clothing.
There are huge delays around Lyndhurst this evening, the main diversion route.
Traffic is backing up on the A35 from Ashurst and Emery Down, as well as the A337 from Cadnam and Brockenhurst.
According to Inrix, on the A337 Romsey Road, there are delays of ten minutes.
Meanwhile, there are five-minute delays on Clay Hill.
The A31 has reopened again westbound, according to National Highways.
The agency says that one lane remains closed and that a full closure is expected to resume later this afternoon.
The #A31 is now currently OPEN westbound between the #M27 and #A338 near #Ringwood.
— National Highways: South-East (@HighwaysSEAST) June 8, 2025
A lane 1 closure remains in place, however a full closure is expected to go in place sometime this afternoon.
Allow extra time if travelling in the area. pic.twitter.com/SKtYtyr3JJ
Traffic is now backing onto the M27.
National Highways reports 10 minutes of delays heading westbound between Junction 2 and 1.
Message signs further east on the M27 as far as Junction 4 read "A31 WEST CLOSED".
Diversions are causing traffic across the main roads of the New Forest near Lyndhurst.
Google Maps is reporting a 20 minute delay on the A31 and 12 minute delays on the A35 and A338.
Traffic experts Inrix reports: "A31 Westbound closed, queueing traffic due to accident investigation work before the Burley Services turn-off. Congestion to the M27 J1 (Cadnam) Westbound. Local routes through Lyndhurst are seeing long delays due to people diverting. Ongoing since Saturday evening following a Police Incident."
A31 diversion route during closure
National Highways has published a diversion route for drivers to follow during the police closure:
- Exit the M27 at J2
- Take the A326 southbound
- At the junction with the A35 near Colbury exit the A326 and turn right
- Take the A35 westbound and remain on this road towards Bournemouth passing through Lyndhurst, Allum Green, Holmsley, Hinton Admiral.
- At the Somerford Roundabout in Christchurch take the third exit to remain on the A35
- Follow the A35 through Christchurch to the Ilford Roundabout with the A3060
- Take the third exit on to the A3060 and follow this road to the Cooper Dean Roundabout with the A338
- Take the third exit from the roundabout on to the A338
- Remain on the A338 to the Ashley Heath Roundabout with the A31
- Take the first exit for the A31 westbound towards. If traffic for Ringwood take the third exit to join the A31 eastbound
Hampshire police issue statement on closure of A31
A social media post from Hampshire police said: "The A31, from Azalea Roundabout to junction 1 of the M27, will be closed for the next few hours.
"This is due to an ongoing investigation which requires the road to be temporarily shut.
"We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, but thank you in advance for your patience and understanding. We will let you all know as soon as the road has reopened. Thank you."
A31 closed as police remain on the scene
Following last night's police incident, the A31 is closed westbound between M27 Cadnam Interchange and the A338 near Ringwood.
National Highways has said that Hampshire police have advised that the closure will remain in place for approximately three hours.
Google Maps still reports delays up to 27 minutes on the westbound carriageway of the A31.
The search engine's traffic map says traffic is moving "much slower than usual".
It still reports that traffic on the westbound carriageway of the A31 is backed up from the police presence at the turn off to Picket Post, all the way to the junction with Lyndhurst Road.
The AA says there are delays of 19 minutes in the area.
Inrix is still reporting one lane is closed on the A31.
45 minute delays
There are delays of 45 minutes and four miles of queues on approach to the scene, according to National Highways.
The screens put up by police has closed one lane.
1 lane (of 2) is closed on the #A31 westbound between the #M27 and #A338 near #Ringwood for a @HantsPolice incident.
— National Highways: South-East (@HighwaysSEAST) June 8, 2025
There are delays of 45 minutes and approx. 4 miles congestion on approach. pic.twitter.com/W3xaqDqo7l
Google Maps now reports that traffic on the westbound carriageway of the A31 is backed up from the police presence at the turn off to Picket Post, all the way to the junction with Lyndhurst Road.
Drivers are facing delays of 25 minutes, according to Google.
AA Traffic Map reports 'severe' delays of 14 minutes, and still increasing, on the A31 heading westbound.
Traffic is currently travelling at an average speed of 10mph.
Court date set
As reported by the BBC, Juan Toledo, 51, who lives in south-east London, appeared at Barkingside Magistrates' Court on Friday.
He was charged with her murder and was remanded into custody, with Met police saying that the man charged was known to Ms Castro Mendez.
A spokesperson for Met police has told the Echo that Juan Toledo will next appear in court at the Old Bailey on Tuesday.
The screens are in the roadworks area with delays of 30 minutes on approach, the Echo has been told by a motorist passing the scene.
This is the scene on the A31 in Bolderwood this morning, where Met Police officers remain on scene.
The screen remains in the area, before the Picket Post turn off.
Queues are now backing up past the junction from the A31 to Forest Road, and past Yew Tree Farm Stables in Upper Canterton.
Google Maps reports a 20 minute delay.
A spokesperson for the Met police confirmed to the Echo that no formal identification of the body has taken place so far.
Officers are understood to still be in the area.
The Met police has taken the lead on the investigation.
Traffic is tailed back almost as far as the junction with the A31 to Forest Road.
One lane remains closed.
Full Met Police statement on disappearance of Yajaira Castro Mendez
A spokesperson for the Met Police said last night: "Detectives investigating the disappearance of Yajaira Castro Mendez have very sadly discovered a body.
"While we await formal identification, Yajaira’s family have been informed and continue to be supported by specialist officers.
"Yajaira went missing from Ilford on Thursday, 29 May. Following extensive enquiries by officers a murder investigation was launched.
"Since that time detectives have been carrying out urgent enquiries to find Yajaira's body and during searches in the Bolderwood area of Hampshire on Saturday, 7 June they found a body.
"A post mortem will be held in due course.
"Detective Inspector Jay Gregory, who is leading the investigation, said: “This is a very sad development in the investigation and are thoughts are very much with Yajaira’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.
"We continue to appeal to anyone with information that could assist the investigation to please come forward.”
"On Friday, 6 June a man known to Yajaira appeared in court charged with her murder and was remanded into custody.
"Anyone with information relating to Yajaira's disappearance is asked to contact police via 101 or @MetCC quoting CAD 3020/06JUN25.
"To remain 100 per cent anonymous call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit Crimestoppers-uk.org."
One lane is closed heading westbound on the A31 due to the police incident, which has been ongoing since last night.
The closure is in place near the Burley Services turn-off near Bolderwood.
Google Maps shows the impacted area in red. Dark red is where traffic is at its worst.
Good morning and welcome to our live blog.
Traffic queues remain on the A31 as an ongoing police incident enters its second day.
Police officers were spotted in the area wearing white overalls.
It comes after a body was discovered in the area during the day on Saturday.
Yajaira Castro Mendez, 46, was reported missing to the Metropolitan Police on May 31 having left her home in Ilford on the morning of May 29.
The Colombian national's family has been told about the discovery of the body, which was found during searches in the Bolderwood area on Saturday, but formal identification has yet to be made.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here