NATIONAL Highways has said it has no plans to change the M3 between junction 7 and junction 8 near Basingstoke amid proposals by Hampshire County Council to modify the road layout.

The county council is proposing major changes to the M3 motorway which would transform junction 7 at Dummer and junction 8 for Popham.

The council’s proposal is to remove the south-facing slip roads at junction 7 – northbound off slip and southbound on slip – and create two new slip roads south of junction 8.

READ MORE: Major proposals to close M3 slip roads come under fire from councillors and residents

However, National Highways has now confirmed to the Gazette that it has not provided any recommendations to the county council, and it has no plan to change the motorway layout.

National Highways’ spatial planning manager Patrick Blake said: “We are aware of the study by Hampshire Country Council and have been engaged throughout its development.

“However, National Highways has not provided any recommendations. We are not able to offer a view of the deliverability and appropriateness of the potential options identified by the study, and as such National Highways doesn’t have any plan or proposal to improve or change the M3 between junctions 7 and 8.”

The county council’s proposals have been put in response to a transport assessment in relation to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s local plan.

The report will go before the county council’s executive lead member for transport and environment strategy Cllr Edward Heron at a decision day on Monday, October 3.

The changes have drawn criticism from residents who have been voicing concerns against the major scheme on social media, while county and borough councillors for the area are asking the decision to be deferred so that local members can be consulted.

Hampshire county councillor Stephen Reid and Basingstoke and Deane borough councillor Samir Kotecha had previously raised concerns about the proposed changes.

Now Labour county councillor for the area Kim Taylor has also called the proposal “concerning”.

She said: “Basingstoke-based Hampshire county councillors saw this report at exactly the same time as members of the public when it was published on 23rd September. I am really disappointed that we have not been able to see it and the supporting evidence earlier. Basingstoke has effectively been side-lined in an important decision that affects the town significantly.”

“I am concerned about the additional traffic on the A30 and what that might mean for Basingstoke commuters, local residents and any impact this could have on plans for a new acute care hospital at junction 7.”

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Cllr Taylor said residents had already been contacting her expressing concern about this and the possible impact it will have.

“I have asked for the decision to be postponed until there has been a change for discussion about the proposals, but I fear that this will not happen and is just another example of a lack of consideration for the town at County level.”

Cllr Edward Heron, Hampshire County Council’s executive lead member for environment and transport strategy, said: “I know that some concerns have been expressed about the Basingstoke Transport Strategy Update which I am due to receive at a public meeting on Monday. In determining whether to agree any recommendations or not, I will also consider carefully, of course, any submissions made to me at that meeting.”