Severe delays on the M27 are hitting drivers heading west as people flock to the seaside to enjoy 30C heat.

A two-car crash on the A31 eastbound between Cadnam and Ringwood at 10am has caused major delays of up to 50 minutes westbound on the M27.

Police said the people in the vehicles suffered minor injuries.

But families are now waiting in up to 90 minutes of congestion.

LIVE UPDATES: A31 eastbound closed after crash

One woman told the Daily Echo her 50-year-old sister was on her way from south west London to visit when she was hit by the delays.

The sister was driving the pair's 82-year-old father down for a family barbecue.

The woman said: "She was on her way to visit me in SW London and has our elderly dad in the car.

"She first messaged at 10.30am to say she is stuck just past Burley and she is still in the same place.

"There are people out of their cars, and she's just had to do a wee at the roadside.

"She said that she's spoken to a family on their way to the airport who have missed their plane.

"She won't be visiting now as it'll be too late by the time they get going."

Drivers and passengers on the A31 have left their vehicles in the heat as they wait for traffic to resume.

The delays around Junction 2 at Cadnam look to last several hours.

Highways England says: "Normal traffic conditions are expected between 1.45pm and 2pm on 9 September 2023."

National Highways tweeted: "The #A31 eastbound between the #A338 (#Ringwood) and the #M27, traffic has been temporarily STOPPED due to a collision.

"There's currently delays of up to 30 minutes on approach both ways. We will keep you updated."

A spokesperson for Hampshire police said: "We were called just before 10am to a report of a collision between two cars on the A31 eastbound between Cadnam and Ringwood. Minor injuries were reported."