MOTORISTS are being reminded about essential work being carried out this weekend on the M3 near its junction with the M25, as work to complete the smart motorway upgrade continues.

There will be a mixture of carriageway and sliproad overnight closures.

Fully signed diversions will be in place and drivers are advised to plan their journey and leave extra time if possible.

The following closures will be in place this weekend:

From 8pm tonight until 7am on Saturday: The M3 will be closed in both directions between junctions two and 4A.

From 8pm on Saturday to 7am on Sunday: The link road to the M25 clockwise from the southbound M3 will be closed and the M3 will be closed in both directions between junctions two and three.

There will be fully signed diversions in place but drivers are advised to consider alternative routes if possible.

The work is part of a multi-million pound upgrade to the M3 which is adding an extra lane in each direction to 13.4 miles of the motorway in Surrey and Hampshire, as well as installing new technology to help drivers with their journeys and fully replacing the road surface.

The Highways England-led team are working hard to complete construction by the end of this month.

Highways England provides live traffic information via its website at www.trafficengland.com and also on local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps.

Local Twitter services are also available at @HighwaysSEAST