Christopher Atkinson

Closures of M3 Junction 9 caused gridlock, long queues and heavy traffic on Winchester’s smaller historic streets, including Hyde Street. Residents reported road rage, speeding, noise and concerns about vibrations damaging listed houses. Councillors are urging Hampshire County Council and National Highways to improve diversion signs, communications and sat-nav routing before further closures scheduled for August 21–24 and September 11–14. The main M3 carriageway is expected to remain open, while National Highways says the works are essential to create free-flowing links through the upgraded junction.

An inquest has opened into the death of 20-year-old motorcyclist Cieran Anthony Bass, who died from a severe brain injury following a collision with a car in Southampton. The hearing at Winchester Coroner's Court confirmed the crash occurred when a car crossed Octavia Road, leading to the impact. The inquest was adjourned until July next year, and Bass’s family issued a tribute describing him as a loving and caring young man with a passion for motorcycles and cars.

An inquest has opened into the death of Southampton resident Margarida Ressurreicao, who died at her home in October 2023 from the toxic effects of mixed depressant drugs, according to a preliminary post‑mortem. A man previously arrested on suspicion of her murder has since died, and his death is not considered suspicious. Police are no longer seeking other suspects and have referred the matter to the coroner, with both deaths to be reviewed. The inquest has been adjourned until June 2027.

An inquest has opened into the death of Dawid Patryk Weimann, a 31-year-old man from Southampton who died on June 25 in Hamble from multiple self-inflicted knife wounds and haemorrhagic shock. Area coroner Jason Pegg confirmed the preliminary post-mortem findings and adjourned the full inquest to June 23, 2027, to be heard at Winchester Coroner's Court.