HAMPSHIRE County Council is set to invest £209m over the next three years, to improve roads and infrastructure across the county.

Executive Member for Environment and Transport, Cllr Rob Humby said: “This planned investment programme would see us make use of government grants, bids and developer contributions over the next three years to improve transport infrastructure in the county.

“The number of new schemes planned demonstrates the council’s ability and experience in successfully leveraging national funds.

“Our capacity and expertise allows us to deliver a large scale, high quality programme of improvements such as this - which will also attract economic growth and spend in the county.”

Major highway schemes make up £100m of the planned investment, including £4m on the proposed Whitehill and Bordon A325 integration proposal.

All seven schemes are designed to relieve congestion, improve safety, and journey times, as well as unlock economic growth in the county.

Road and bridge maintenance will takes up £108 million of the proposed budget; it will be spent on highways maintenance, including pothole repairs and road resurfacing.

The remainder is set aside for the county’s Flood Risk and Coastal Defence Programme.

Councillor Humby added: “Although we have to make some difficult decisions about where to prioritise resources, we are acutely aware that Hampshire’s highway network is critical to the economic success of the county.

“Investment in vital transport infrastructure not only improves day to day travel for residents and businesses in Hampshire but also unlocks potential economic growth to help the county thrive in the future.”

A final decision on the council’s capital and revenue budget for 2017/18 will be made by the full council on Wednesday, February 16.