Basingstoke roadworks: How to avoid the 95-mile diversion

Carriageway surface repairs due to take place on Priory Lane, near Whitchurch, on June 28 until June 30, require the road to close to vehicular traffic.

The stretch of road is just under a mile long but could cause huge delays to drivers, with the council diversion route expected to take two hours and forty minutes to follow.

The Council’s 153km diversion, which converts to 95 miles, has been criticised online with readers pointing out that steps 21 to 35 will cause drivers following the diversion, to loop back on themselves unnecessarily only to end up back at the exact same point at Victory roundabout.

Whitchurch Roadworks

Alternatively, for locals who know their way around, there are a number of shorter but unofficial routes that drivers can take to avoid the road closure which has been described as a ‘nightmare’ by locals.

One way to avoid the road closure is to use Watch Lane, which is approximately 100 yards away from Priory Lane and continue up to Harrow Way.

An alterative route is to continue on London Road/ B3400 and then turn right on to Newbury Road, after approximately one and a half miles turn right again on to Harrow Way.

The first alternative route can be seen in blue on the map, the second route is shown in green

The Hampshire County Council diversion route has published online, and can be viewed here. Type in the date of the road works into the white box in the top right-hand corner to view the 95-mile long route.

Whilst the works have been given a date in June, a note on the council website states: “The works may not take place on the first date advertised but will take place during the dates shown on the sign.”

Any person who breaches the road closure could be convicted or face a fine not exceeding £1,000.

The alternative routes may not suitable for HGVs and should be avoided if using larger machinery.