The police share this latest appeal, following the closure yesterday of the M3. Ed
We are now in a position to provide further details relating to the incident on the M3 yesterday between junctions 10 and 11.
At 3.49am on Saturday 23 September, police were called to the road following reports of potentially hazardous material in the carriageway.
Closed for 11 hours
As a result, the motorway was shut for approximately 11 hours between junctions 9 and 11 to allow police, in partnership with specialist hazardous material officers and an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team, to assess the substance.
We recognise that this caused extensive disruption for members of the public going about their daily business, but we would like to reassure you that public safety was our top priority as we investigated matters further.
Flammable material
Early assessments indicate that this was a flammable material, not explosive material, which had been thrown from the motorway bridge which leads to St Catherine’s Hill. Nobody was hurt, and there is no wider risk to public safety as a result.
Assessments to determine exactly what the material is are still on-going at this time.
Assessing risk to public safety
We have been utilising a wealth of expertise, across policing and our partners, to assess the risk to public safety, and we stress that at this time this is not being treated as a terrorist incident.
Officers are aware of, and are investigating, a similar incident which took place on the same bridge last week, at around 4am on Saturday 16 September.
Object dropped into carriageway
In this incident, an object was dropped into the carriageway and we received further reports that something was alight in the same location.
Officers attended and found a quantity of broken glass but no fire. A lane one closure was put in place for a very short time, to allow the debris to be cleared. No-one was hurt during this incident.
We know that a lot of people use this route at that time as part of their daily routine, and we urge anyone who witnessed either of these incidents, or who has any information, to contact police immediately on 101.
Get in touch
Did you see anyone on the bridge? We know dog walkers use the areas either side of the bridge. Did you see anyone acting suspiciously in the area?
We thank you for your patience and co-operation as we investigated yesterday’s incident, but again would like to reassure you that this is not being treated as a terrorist incident.
Image: © Hampshire Constabulary
