DRIVERS could be facing major delays with a fire leaving the M275 covered in a cloud of thick dark smoke.
The M275 in Portsmouth was closed overnight after a big blaze burned at the nearby TJ Waste site in Tipner.
It was reopened for a two-and-a-half-hour period with speed restrictions – but smoke soon hovered over the carriageway, forcing a re-closure.
Hampshire cops warned it would be unlikely to reopen until later on Sunday.
A statement said: “The M275 is likely to remain closed for the majority of today so please continue to make alternative arrangements.
“We thank you for your patience and will update you as soon as the road is reopened.”
National Highways announced the motorway was reopened northbound just after 1pm, but remained closed southbound between the M27, J12 and J2
Portsmouth City Council on Saturday said it suspended Southern Water sewage repairs on Eastern Road, which runs parallel to the M275, to ensure both southbound lanes were open to provide an alternative.
The Park and Ride Portsmouth service has also been impacted, with buses into the city from its car park paused as the M275 route remains closed.
Cops have said the smoke is making driving unsafe and closed the motorway in all directions.
TJ Waste and Recycling said no-one was on site when the fire erupted and there was no hazardous material to fuel the blaze further, according to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight fire and rescue service updates page.
A spokesperson said: “We are grateful to Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue for attendance following reports from the public of smoke coming from our Portsmouth materials recovery facility at Tipner in the early hours of this morning.
“Thankfully there were no TJ staff on site. The seat of the fire, which has damaged the building, was in a sorting bay of non-hazardous domestic and commercial waste materials.
“The facility will be closed until further notice – we will be advising customers of the situation.
“This is the first time anything like this has happened here and we apologise for the disruption caused to the public following closure of the motorway for safety reasons.”
Six fire engines and three water carriers could be seen at the site containing the blaze on Saturday afternoon, BBC reported.
It’s unclear how the fire started.
According to National Highways, there are no significant delays reported by cars approaching closure points from either direction.
The Hampshire fire service last issued an update at 8pm Saturday.
It said: “Our crews are making good progress as the smoke plume is reducing, but the M275 will remain closed for the evening.
“The fire began in the early hours of this morning (6 July, 2024) in a large waste processing unit consisting of 2 floors, containing 117 tonnes of domestic and commercial waste material.
“A high volume pumping unit is utilising sea water, with the assistance of an appliance and two monitors. Crews will remain on scene and monitor.”
M275 diversion routes
Motorists have been urged to follow the solid triangle diversion symbol on road signs.
National Highways has detailed the diversion for both north and southbound drivers.
SOUTHBOUND
From the A27 westbound
- Exit the A27 at the junction with the A3 before it becomes the M27 and at the roundabout take the 1st exit onto the A3 towards Hilsea
- Continue to the junction with the A2047 where the road splits and keep right to stay on the A3
- Travel along the A3 for approximately 2 miles to reach “Rudmore Roundabout”/M275 J2.
From the M27 eastbound
- Exit the M27 eastbound at J12.
- At the traffic light controlled junction turn right onto the A27 eastbound.
- At the next roundabout take the 2nd exit to remain on the A27.
- At the following roundabout (“Portsbridge Roundabout”) take the 3rd exit to join the A3 towards Hilsea.
- Follow the eastbound diversion above from the 2nd bullet point
NORTHBOUND
- Exit the A3 northbound where it meets the M275 and at the roundabout take the 3rd exit to continue on the A3 towards Hilsea/Stamshaw
- Continue on the A3 for approximately 2 miles to the T-junction with the A2047 and turn left to stay on the A3 northbound.
- Travel to the next roundabout (“Portsbridge Roundabout”) and take the first exit onto the A27 westbound towards Paulsgrove
- Continue on the A27 eastbound, taking the first exit at the next roundabout, to the traffic light controlled junction with the M27.
- At the junction turn left and follow the link road to join the M27 east or westbound.