National Highways has raised concerns about plans to build a £50m motorway services area on the M27 at Fareham. The agency fears the scheme could interfere with the “safe and efficient operation” of the M27, says the Southampton Daily Echo.
Welcome Break says the proposed development beside Junction 11 would create 250 jobs, provide 500 parking spaces, and deliver 24-hour eateries, but National Highways has queried the M27’s capacity to cope with extra traffic at Fareham without major improvements.
The organisation says it needs more time to study the application and is urging the borough council not to approve it until February 2026 at the earliest.
In a letter to the authority it refers to the Strategic Road Network (SRN), which it describes as a critical national asset.
“We work to ensure it operates and is managed in the public interest, both in respect of current activities and needs, as well as providing effective stewardship of its long-term operation and integrity.
“We are concerned with proposals that may have the potential to impact the safe and efficient operation of the SRN, in this case the M27. The nearest junction to the proposed site is J11, which experiences regular congestion on both off-slips during peak hours.
“Any development must carefully assess the number of trips being added and whether there is sufficient capacity.”
The letter adds: “We have been liaising with the applicant’s transport consultants. National Highways recommends that the Local Planning Authority does not grant planning permission until 13 February 2026 to enable us to review further information and provide the Local Planning Authority with fully informed advice.
“This does not prevent the authority to either refuse the application or agree to an extension of time beyond 13 February 2026.”
In a separate letter National Highways says it has “no objection in principle” to the proposed development.
But it adds: “The issue is that the development is dependent on a significant improvement to the M27, and it must be demonstrated that such an improvement is achievable.”
(Picture: Welcome Break/GSDA)
