<P> The M27 was meant to be extended to Chichester; a sign of this is the width of the A27 road between Junction 12 and the junction with the A3 (M), which has 3 / 4 lanes, a hard shoulder and grade - separated junctions . It is not part of the M27 as its hard shoulders are not quite wide enough to comply with motorway regulations . </P> <P> The M272 was meant to go from Junction 5 through Portswood to the centre of Southampton . The M272 was instead built (in much reduced form) as the A335 Thomas Lewis Way . </P> <P> Junction 6 was never built--there were plans for a motorway spur (probably to be numbered M273) connecting the M27 to the centre of the Townhill Park area of Southampton . </P> <P> A planned service area just east of Junction 9 was never constructed . The long westbound exit slip road at Junction 9 was designed to allow an entry to and exit from the service area . </P>

Why is there no junction 6 on m27