National Highways Flags Capacity Concerns Over Proposed M27 Services Development

National Highways has expressed reservations about plans for a £50m motorway services development on the M27 near Fareham, warning the scheme could place additional strain on an already congested section of the network.

The proposal, submitted by Welcome Break for land close to Junction 11, includes plans for a 24-hour services complex offering food outlets, around 500 parking spaces and up to 250 new jobs. However, National Highways has questioned whether the motorway and surrounding junctions could safely accommodate the extra traffic the site would generate without significant upgrades.

In correspondence with Fareham Borough Council, the organisation said it required additional time to assess the transport impacts and has advised that planning permission should not be granted before mid-February 2026.

National Highways highlighted the importance of the Strategic Road Network, describing it as a vital national asset that must be protected both for current users and future demand. It warned that Junction 11 already experiences regular congestion, particularly on the exit slip roads during peak periods.

Any new development, it said, must demonstrate that the additional vehicle movements can be managed safely and that sufficient capacity exists to support the increase in traffic.

The agency confirmed it has been working with the applicant’s transport consultants but stressed that further analysis is needed before a fully informed recommendation can be made. While it has not ruled out the scheme, National Highways has formally requested that the local authority delay any decision until at least 13 February 2026.

In a separate submission, National Highways clarified that it does not object to the principle of a motorway services area at the location. However, it warned that the project is reliant on substantial improvements to the M27 and surrounding infrastructure, and those enhancements must be proven to be both deliverable and effective before consent can be granted.