Roads and Driving around Havant

Main routes, traffic patterns and road connections

Havant sits at the intersection of several important road routes, giving it strong connections to Portsmouth, Chichester, London and the wider south coast. The A27 dual carriageway runs along the northern edge of the town, providing a fast east-west route. The A3(M) motorway junction is nearby, connecting Havant to the motorway network and the route northward to London via the A3.

The A27 is the principal through route, carrying traffic between Portsmouth and Chichester. The Havant section is dual carriageway and handles heavy volumes, particularly during peak commuting hours. Congestion at the junctions where local roads meet the A27 is common during the morning and evening rush, and delays can build up at the roundabouts serving the town.

The A259, the old coast road, passes through the southern part of the area, connecting Havant to Emsworth to the east and to the Hayling Island road bridge. This road is busier than its relatively minor classification suggests, carrying local traffic and serving the residential areas along its route.

Within the town, the road network follows the historic pattern of the four principal streets radiating from the central crossroads. These streets carry local traffic and serve the shops and businesses of the town centre. One-way systems and traffic management measures have been introduced over the years to manage flows and reduce congestion in the centre.

The road to Hayling Island crosses Langstone Harbour on a road bridge that replaced the original crossing. The bridge carries all vehicle traffic to and from the island and can become congested during summer weekends and school holidays when visitors head to Hayling's beaches.

Leigh Park is served by a network of estate roads that connect to the main road system via Leigh Road and Middle Park Way. These roads carry local traffic and are served by bus routes.

Traffic congestion is the main frustration for Havant drivers. The A27 junctions, the town centre approaches and the Hayling Island bridge are the principal pinch points. Journey times during peak hours can be significantly longer than at quieter times. Residents who commute by car learn the back routes and the optimal times to travel, but at rush hour there are few alternatives to sitting in the queue.

Traffic congestion is the main frustration for Havant drivers. The A27 junctions, the town centre approaches and the Hayling Island bridge are the principal pinch points. Journey times during peak hours can be significantly longer than at quieter times. Residents who commute by car learn the back routes and the optimal times to travel, but at rush hour there are few alternatives to sitting in the queue. The Hayling Island bridge in particular can become severely congested during summer weekends and school holidays when visitors head to the island's beaches. The long-term solutions to congestion, including road improvements, better public transport and encouraging alternatives to the car, are the subject of ongoing debate.