RESIDENTS can expect to see a 40 per cent increase in investment into major road improvements over the next three years, following a decision last week by Hampshire County Council’s executive member for environment and transport.

At his decision day meeting on July 11, Rob Humby approved plans to increase spending on major highway schemes. Investment in these programmes of work is set to increase from £34m (spent in 2016/17) to a projected £48.2m in 2018/19.

“All of our major improvement schemes aim to support Hampshire’s growing prosperity and enhance quality of life, as more and more developments are built. We have already successfully delivered seven schemes across the county in the last financial year, and we are rapidly securing finance from Government to deliver more in the next three years,” said Mr Humby.

“The quantity and scale of schemes we are delivering are rapidly growing, partly in response to demand but also as funding bids submitted to Government are becoming more and more successful.

“Indications from Government are that there will be an increase in funding for road schemes, and Hampshire County Council is well placed to bid for this funding. This is all thanks to the capacity, scale and expertise that our planners, designers and engineers put into realising these projects for the people of Hampshire.”

The seven major schemes completed in 2016/2017 were:

* A30 Winchester Road roundabout, Basingstoke;

* A340 Aldermaston, Basingstoke;

* Whitehill and Bordon Relief Road phase one;

* St Margaret’s roundabout, Fareham;

* Peel Common roundabout, Fareham;

* Asda roundabout, Havant; and

* Queen’s roundabout, Farnborough.

Four other major schemes are currently under way: two to improve journey times and reduce congestion on the A27 at Fareham; one on Newgate Lane South in Fareham; and the fourth to support the regeneration of Whitehill and Bordon, by building a new relief road. In addition, major improvements to Crockford and Great Binfields roundabouts in Basingstoke will begin in the next month.

Mr Humby continued: “Ambition still runs high and there is no let up for our teams at the county council as we wait to hear about our £6.4m bid submitted to Government to extend the successful BRT scheme in South Hampshire.”