M271 motorway

M271 Southbound

The M271 is a three-mile spur motorway in Hampshire near Southampton. Construction began in 1973 and it opened in 1975. It provides part of the route to Southampton Docks from the M27, which in turn makes up another part of the route to the docks from the nearby M3 motorway.

Route

The motorway begins at Redbridge near Totton at a grade-separated roundabout with the A35, heading north, briefly as a dual three-lane motorway. At its first junction, it reduces to two lanes and continues east of Hillyfields. After a further mile it reaches a junction with the M27 at a signal-controlled roundabout. North of the M27 it enters the countryside and terminates after a further mile of dual two-lane road at another roundabout, this time with the A3057 at Upton.

The route has several features that are inconsistent with UK motorway standards, including a sharp bend at its southern terminus, and an at-grade roundabout at its junction with the M27. Hampshire County Council's LTTP to 2026 (Long Term Transport Plan) identifies the need for an 'M271 Spur' at the southern end to connect it to the A33 towards the docks in a free-flow interchange.

Junctions

M271 motorway junctions
Northbound exits	Junction	Southbound exits	Coordinates
Road continues as A3057 to Romsey	Terminus	Start of motorway
The WEST, Salisbury, Ringwood, Bournemouth M27(W) The MIDLANDS, London, Winchester, Portsmouth M27(E) (M3)	J2 (M27 J3)	The WEST, Salisbury, Ringwood, Bournemouth M27(W) London, Winchester, Portsmouth M27(E) (M3)	50°56’45"N, 1°28’35"W
Lordshill (A3057) Nursling Industrial Estate	J1	Lordshill (A3057) Nursling Industrial Estate	50°56’1"N, 1°28’25"W
Start of motorway	Terminus	Road continues as A35 to The Docks, Southampton, Lyndhurst and Totton	50°55’20"N, 1°28’13"W

Outside links

• CBRD Motorway Database – M271
• Pathetic Motorways – M271
• The Motorway Archive – M27/M271/M275/A3(M)
• Hampshire County Council LTTP 2011–2026