M27 Christmas 2025 Closure: Understanding the Emergency Diversion Route (EDR)
- Ian Ross
- Dec 23, 2025
- 2 min read
Over the Christmas 2025 period, planned works will require the closure of the M27 between Junctions 9 and 11. To help keep traffic moving safely and reduce congestion on local roads, an Emergency Diversion Route (EDR) will be in place for the duration of the closure.
This article explains what an EDR is, why it’s needed, and how to follow the temporary road signs you’ll see while travelling.
What is an Emergency Diversion Route (EDR)?
An Emergency Diversion Route is a pre-planned route designed to safely redirect motorway traffic when a section of road is closed. EDRs are carefully selected to:
Handle higher volumes of traffic
Avoid unsuitable residential roads
Maintain access for emergency services
Provide a consistent, clearly signed alternative route
During the M27 closure between Junctions 9 and 11, all motorway traffic will be directed onto the signed EDR instead of using sat-nav shortcuts.
Why follow the EDR instead of sat nav?
While sat-nav apps are useful day to day, they are not designed to manage large-scale motorway diversions. During major closures they can:
Send drivers onto unsuitable narrow roads
Increase congestion in local communities
Create safety risks for pedestrians and cyclists
The EDR has been approved by the highway authority and coordinated with local councils, emergency services, and traffic management teams. Following it helps keep everyone moving safely and fairly.
Understanding the EDR road signs
Temporary diversion signs will be placed well in advance of the closure and along the entire route. These signs are designed to be simple and consistent.
Yellow background signs
All EDR signs use a yellow background, making them easy to distinguish from permanent road signs.
Black symbols and arrows
Instead of destination names, EDR signs often use symbols. These symbols correspond to a specific diversion route.
For example:
A solid black shape (such as a square, circle, triangle, or diamond)
A black arrow showing the direction to follow
If you see the same symbol repeated at each junction, you are still on the correct diversion route.
No place names
You may notice that town or city names are not always shown. This is intentional. The symbol system ensures that all drivers follow the same agreed route rather than splitting off in different directions.
What drivers should expect during the closure
Reduced speed limits on diversion roads
Temporary traffic signals or lane restrictions
Longer journey times, especially at peak holiday periods
Drivers are advised to:
Allow extra time for their journey
Follow the yellow diversion signs rather than sat-nav instructions
Drive with care, especially through unfamiliar areas
Plan ahead this Christmas
If you’re planning to travel on the M27 over Christmas 2025, check for updates before you set off and familiarise yourself with the diversion signage. A little preparation can make a big difference to keeping journeys safe and stress-free during the festive period.
Google maps showing the diversion along the A27 through Fareham
