I think that the stretch of M27 between Junc 7 (possibly 8) and the M3 now needs to be 4 lanes.....anyone agree?

Many of the UK's motorways need to be 4 lanes, and I would agree this stretch of the M27 is in that group. I was very disappointed a few years back when they tinkered with the M3/M27 junction as they did not correct the horrendous way drivers join the M27 westbound at J5 have to fight their way to the right as drivers wanting to join the M3 are fighting their way to the left. I join the M27 every week day at J7 westbound and leave at J5. Most days I just stay in the inside lane as it's not worth fighting my way right and then left again. There was talk of turning the hard shoulder into a fourth lane, as has been done on the M42 around Birmingham.

Maybe, but the problem Westbound on that section actually originates at junction 4. If there's a tailback from the M3 onto the M27, J7-5 Westbound is slow. If there isn't, it usually flows OK. Its the bottom end of the M3 around J12 that needs to be eased somehow.

What also doesn't help on the M27, are the stupid overhead signs that suggest a 40mph limit whenever there's the slightest hint of a queue. Turn those off, and the M27 will flow better...

Just as happened a few years ago, when they removed the stupid traffic lights that attempted to control the volume traffic joining the motorway...

making a long exit lane on the busy junctions to save the queue getting onto the motorway would help alot.