THE A31 is closed in both directions following a serious crash. 

Police are currenty dealing with the collision on the A31 near Rufus Stone services involving a car which has collided with a barrier.

The road is currently closed in both directions for 14 miles between junction two of the M27 (Ower Interchange) and the A338 at Ringwood.

UPDATE : A31 and M27 reopen after a nine hour closure due to crash

Hampshire Constabulary said the road will be closed for some time and are asking motorists to avoid the area. 

The Daily Echo has contacted Hampshire Constabulary for comment.

National Highways, formerly Highways England, who manage the A31 said a diversion route was in place and the road is expected to remain closed throughout the night.

A National Highways spokesperson said: "The A31 in Hampshire is closed in both directions between the M27 J2 (Ower Interchange) and the A338 at Ringwood due to a serious collision involving a car which has collided with a barrier.

"Emergency services including Hampshire Police are in attendance. National Highways Traffic Officers are also providing assistance with traffic management on scene.

"Due to the nature of the incident, the road is expected to remain closed for a considerable amount of time."

The diversion routes given by National Highways are as follows:

Eastbound

  1. Exit the A31 eastbound at the junction with the A338 at Ringwood 
  2. Join the A338 northbound (Salisbury Road) and continue for approximately 15 miles towards Salisbury
  3. At the junction with the A354/A3094, continue on the A338 northbound (New Bridge Road) until Exeter Street Roundabout
  4. At the roundabout, turn right onto the A338 (Churchill Way S)
  5. At the next roundabout (College Roundabout), take the 2nd exit onto the A36 eastbound (Southampton Road)
  6. Continue on the A36 south-easterly, passing through Whaddon, Newton and West Wellow until the M27 J2 roundabout (Ower Interchange)

Westbound

  1. Exit the M27 westbound at J2 (Ower Interchange) and join the A36 
  2. Continue north-westerly on the A36, passing through West Wellow, Newton and Whaddon towards Salisbury
  3. At the roundabout with the A338 (College Roundabout), take the A338 (Churchill Way S)
  4. At Exeter Street Roundabout, take the 1st exit and continue southbound on the A338 (New Bridge Road)
  5. Continue on the A338 southbound for approximately 15 miles towards Ringwood
  6. At the roundabout with the A31/B3347, continue straight over
  7. At the next roundabout, take the 1st exit and join Southampton Road eastbound
  8. Continue on Southampton Road, which will then pass over the A31
  9. At a small roundabout just after the A31, take the 2nd exit and then continue to re-join the A31 westbound using the entry slip road

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