Motorway Database

The M3 Winchester Bypass - an ordinary 3-lane motorway by the look of it. What on earth could all that controversy have been about when the road was upgraded from the old A33?
Photo by HighwaymanA31

At the northern end of the bypass, a lane is lost to the A34. North of here, until junction 8, the motorway has just two lanes. The M3 isn't quite as vital or as busy as its single-digit siblings M1, M4 or M6.
Photo by HighwaymanA31

Here's the controversial bit. Looking north around junction 11, the cutting at Twyford Down dominates the skyline. From here it looks drastic already.
Photo by HighwaymanA31

Take a step back, and not only is it clear just how severe the cutting is, but it's also obvious just how steeply the motorway must climb to keep the cutting as shallow as it is.
Photo by HighwaymanA31

An evening view from the Twyford Down nature reserve shows the cutting more clearly.
Photo by Jim Champion

Another view of the cutting, this time from an overbridge, looking south.
Photo by Jim Champion

The Twyford cutting is unsatisfactory environmentally and in terms of highway design - it stretches design regulations to their limits, and this northbound on-slip at junction 11 is extremely steep.
Photo by Jim Champion

Further south, things quieten down - mainly because the road ends. Here the M3 splits into two mini-motorways to reach the M27. Since this photo was taken the road markings have been repainted to create a fairer and less confusing split.
Photo by HighwaymanA31

The M3's northern section, when the road was far from complete, seen in 1979. The picture is taken from the Ravenswood Bridge at Camberley, looking towards London, with the Maultway Bridge at Bagshot visible in the distance.
Photo by Lee McComish