The M3 is a major 61-mile (98 km) motorway in southern England connecting London (Sunbury-on-Thames) to Southampton. It serves as a vital commuter route for Surrey and Hampshire. The route takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to drive end-to-end under clear conditions, though traffic around the M25 interchange can be heavy.
Quick Facts
- Route: Sunbury-on-Thames (J1) to Southampton (J14 / M27)
- Major Towns Served: Basingstoke, Winchester, and Southampton
- Length: 61 miles (98.2 km)
- Speed Limit: 70 mph (112 km/h) national speed limit for cars, though variable speed limits are in place on certain smart motorway sections closer to London.
- Key Intersections: Connects to the M25 (J2) and the M27 (Southampton)
History and Controversies
The motorway was built in stages between 1971 and 1995. The final section built around Winchester (Twyford Down) sparked massive environmental protests in the 1990s. It is frequently viewed by road historians as a major turning point that soured the UK public and politicians on new major road building projects for decades