a day ago
Part of A31 closed westbound amid murder probe after body found
A STRETCH of the A31 through the New Forest has been closed westbound as police continue an investigation following the discovery of a woman's body.
As previously reported, Yajaira Castro Mendez, 46, was reported missing to the Metropolitan Police on May 31 having left her home in Ilford on the morning of May 29.
Since that time detectives said they been carrying out urgent enquiries to find Yajaira's body and during searches in the Bolderwood area on Saturday, 7 June they found a body.
The #A31 westbound between the #M27 and #A338 near #Ringwood has closed due to a @HantsPolice incident. On approach to the closure, there are delays of 30 minutes and congestion of approx. 4 miles. More info, inc diversion, found here:
— National Highways: South-East (@HighwaysSEAST) June 8, 2025
Now the stretch of road has been closed and is expected to remain in place for around three hours.
Posting on social media, National Highways said: The A31 in Hampshire is closed westbound between the M27 Cadnam Interchange and the A338 near Ringwood following a Hampshire Police-led incident that occurred on Saturday 7 June 2025.'
The diversion route:
Exit the M27 at J2
Take the A326 southbound
At the junction with the A35 near Colbury exit the A326 and turn right
Take the A35 westbound and remain on this road towards Bournemouth passing through Lyndhurst, Allum Green, Holmsley, Hinton Admiral.
At the Somerford Roundabout in Christchurch take the third exit to remain on the A35
Follow the A35 through Christchurch to the Ilford Roundabout with the A3060
Take the third exit on to the A3060 and follow this road to the Cooper Dean Roundabout with the A338
Take the third exit from the roundabout on to the A338
Remain on the A338 to the Ashley Heath Roundabout with the A31
Take the first exit for the A31 westbound towards (traffic for Ringwood take the third exit to join the A31 eastbound)
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National Highways said: 'If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time.'
Traffic was held on the A31 between Stoney Cross and Picket Post for more than 45 minutes on Saturday evening, with some motorists getting out of their cars and making U-turns on the westbound carriageway of the A31.
The traffic stretched back several miles towards the M27 at Cadnam.
A lane closure remained in place on Sunday before the stretch was closed westbound.
