Recovery planning for suitable breakdown locations on the M3 through Hampshire.
The M3 is Hampshire's principal north-south motorway, connecting the London and Surrey corridor with Basingstoke, Winchester, Eastleigh and Southampton. The same road number covers a long distance, so the direction of travel and nearest junction are essential.
Give 'northbound' or 'southbound', the junction you have passed or are approaching, and any service-area, emergency-area or marker information. A map pin can help, but it should support rather than replace the carriageway details.
A vehicle at a service area or safely off the motorway can usually be assessed as a normal private recovery enquiry. A vehicle in a live lane, dangerous position or controlled incident must be handled through emergency services and National Highways first.
Confirm whether the vehicle starts, rolls, steers and has keys. Mention wheel, tyre, suspension, accident or fluid-leak concerns. If an official operator moves the vehicle, give us the final safe location rather than the original incident point.
Farnborough is a busy commercial and residential town close to the M3 and A331, with business parks, airport-related sites and neighbouring urban areas. Site access and security information are often as important as the street address.
View detailsFleet is a commuter town near the M3 with residential developments, business areas and surrounding villages. Collections can involve station parking, modern estates, commercial sites or rural roads towards Crookham and Hart.
View detailsBasingstoke is served by the M3 and a substantial ring-road network, with business parks, shopping areas, large housing estates and rural villages across the wider borough. The route to a vehicle can differ considerably depending on which side of the town it…
View detailsWinchester combines a historic city centre with major national routes and a large rural district. The M3, A34, A31 and A272 bring very different recovery situations, from city parking restrictions to exposed high-speed-road breakdowns.
View detailsEastleigh lies between Southampton and Winchester with close access to the M3 and M27. The area includes the town centre, railway and airport-related traffic, industrial estates and large residential communities such as Chandler's Ford and Bishopstoke.
View detailsSouthampton combines a busy city centre with docks, hospitals, universities, residential districts and major road connections. The M3 and M27 meet close to the city, while the A33, A35 and A3024 carry large volumes of local and port-related traffic.
View detailsThese answers are general. The live vehicle, position and access still need to be checked.
Give the road number, direction of travel, nearest junction or exit, and any service-area, emergency-area or marker information visible from a safe position.
No routine private booking should be used for a live-lane emergency. Call 999 and follow the relevant authority’s instructions.
Common destinations include a garage, home address, dealership or another lawful receiving site that is ready for the vehicle.
Describe wheel, suspension, steering, body and fluid-leak concerns and send photographs only when it is safe to do so.
Private recovery planning for vehicles on suitable motorway and trunk-road locations once the scene is safe.
View detailsRecovery for cars, vans and motorcycles that cannot safely continue under their own power.
View detailsRecovery planning for damaged vehicles once people are safe and the vehicle is released for collection.
View detailsCall with the direction, junction and safe collection position, or send the details online once you are away from immediate danger.