CONTROVERSIAL plans to transform to junctions on M3 have been backed by a senior county councillor - despite major concerns from residents and Basingstoke councillors. 

Major changes to junction 7 at Dummer and junction 8 at Popham were recommended as part of a vision to solve the latest transport issues in Basingstoke and Deane. 

Work would be carried out 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.

Council documents say that the existing northbound on slip at junction 7 would require a new merge with lane gain, which would allow a traffic to continue into a new lane, amongst other improvements.

A report was put forward to a decision day by Hampshire County Council's executive lead member for economy, transport and environment Cllr Edward Heron on Monday, October 3. 

The report outlined the Highway Authority’s interests on each issue and provided a means of clarifying the transport policy and strategy priorities relating to the future direction of transport planning and infrastructure for the borough.

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

Cllr Heron approved the recommendations saying the changes to the M3 motorway slip roads is an 'iterative process and there was no reason for it to be deferred'.

Cllr Heron's approval came after Hampshire County councillors representing Basingstoke spoke at the meeting asking to defer the decision.

Cllr Stephen Reid said he is “troubled” by the M3 proposals. He added: “This is such a massive topic, and I'm surprised that there hasn't been greater consultation.

“Given that Basingstoke and Deane council (BDBC) appears to have put the local plan process back by a year, I think there is flexibility within the system for us to take some time out for a consultation – so that the officers can be confident that they've got things right and can command the support of the local members.

“The making of junction 8 might be interpreted as encouraging the developments down at the airfield, which the BDBC has within its draft local plan.”

Cllr Kim Taylor also supported the arguments and asked Cllr Heron to defer the decision.

She said: “From the point of view of Hampshire County councillors of Basingstoke, we are in a fairly uninformed situation about this matter. It's brilliant that we're thinking ahead, but this is such a massive issue that really affects residents significantly.

“Not just because people might want to join at junction 7 in order to use the M3 to get down to Southampton or back up to London. But it is also a fairly substantial use for people trying to get from one end of Basingstoke to the other in the absence of any ring road that joins properly.”

Reacting to the comments, council officers said the major changes to Basingstoke's road network will take a long time to come forward, and the authority needs to make sure that it has the land available in the future and to make the changes needed to mitigate the impact of development.

Cllr Heron approved the recommendations made by officers, saying the county council will continue to engage with local councillors and local members.

He said: “There is an awful lot of work that needs to be done around understanding the full detail of the study, but I don't think any of that would requires us asking the government, the National Highways and the transport societies prioritise looking at this study.

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“What I can tell certainly to Cllr Taylor and Cllr Reid, all local members, is that we will continue to engage with you. And should the National Highways bring any proposal forward we would obviously make sure all local members are involved.

"So I think on balance, looking at what the policy statement says what I'm being asked to agree, I don't see that there's any reason to defer that at this time.”