Lorry crash shuts main roads for seven hours

A dual carriageway including a section of motorway has been closed for more than seven hours following a lorry crash.

The M27 and A31 were shut westbound between J2 near Ower and the A338 Ashley Heath interchange near Ringwood.

Hampshire Police said it was called at just before 01:30 BST after a lorry collided with a barrier on the M27, with the driver sustaining minor injuries.

The road was shut at about 05:30 and reopened at about 13:00, according to posts on X by National Highways.

During the operation to recover the lorry, a tree fell on to the motorway, the highways agency previously reported.

The official diversion route sent traffic through the New Forest to Christchurch and up the Bournemouth Spur Road during the morning rush hour.