Preferred route for inner relief road published by council
PLANS for an inner relief road for Whitehill and Bordon have moved one step closer now that an initial route preference has been confirmed and approval given to carry out further feasibility and assessment work, including consultation and environmental appraisal.
Following initial consultations, Hampshire County Council has confirmed that at this time the preferred route of the southern section of road would follow the line of the abandoned railway connecting to Whitehill and that the northern section would cross Ministry of Defence land around the areas proposed for development which would be made available as part of the project.
This routing would be reviewed following completion of further feasibility work. Public consultation will be carried out on the preferred route during 2013-14.
The feasibility study will include carrying out environmental assessment work and preparing the detailed design, all of which will help lead to a future planning application for the project.
The county says that constructing an inner relief road will reduce traffic congestion on existing roads in the town, encourage a thriving town centre, help to integrate the community – which at present suffers from being divided by the busy A325 – and ensure easy access to new residential, commercial and retail developments on Ministry of Defence land that will be made available as part of the project.
Deputy leader of Hampshire County Council and executive member for environment and transport, Councillor Mel Kendal, said: “The construction of an Inner Relief Road at Whitehill and Bordon is a critical piece of infrastructure that will enable the development and regeneration of the released Ministry of Defence land to progress.
“It is a good example of how an essential regional project can only be advanced with local authority intervention. There is more work to do now to develop the proposals, confirm the alignment of the road and in consulting the local community.
“There are still further steps to take, including completing a full Environmental Impact Assessment and securing access to land currently under Ministry of Defence ownership, but I am satisfied with progress so far.
“The decisions help to provide the project with clarity and direction on the proposed route and as such are essential for the successful realisation of Whitehill and Bordon’s future.”
Last autumn, the county outlined its draft transport strategy for Whitehill and Bordon, which included a number of controversial proposals such as reducing residents’ car parking spaces but not making more provision for public transport.
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Weather for Petersfield
Thursday 20 June 2013
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