Camrose Link Road Plan Dropped
PLANS for a link road through a former football ground in Basingstoke have been scrapped as a multi-million pound scheme has been amended.
The proposals to improve the Brighton Hill Roundabout have been changed and no longer include plans for the Camrose Link Road.
The revised plans instead would see the retention of the Western Way entry onto the roundabout and the removal of the existing underpasses.
It comes as the proposals for blocks of flats and a care home on the football ground site were rejected by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council in September.
The county council had originally planned to build a new link road through the Camrose ground and close the Western Way entry onto the roundabout.
But following the refusal of the redevelopment plan in September, county bosses had to amend their proposals for the Brighton Hill Roundabout.
It comes as according to official documents the decision taken by Basingstoke councillors to reject the plans for the Camrose site meant that the land needed for the link road was no longer available.
However, according to official county council documents, “the revised scheme for Brighton Hill Roundabout does not preclude delivery of the Camrose Link Road at a later date through a separate scheme subject to the securing the necessary funding and approvals for a new route”.
The revised plans for the busy roundabout also include an extra traffic lane to the inside of the roundabout; new traffic lights; improved cycle facilities with shared and dedicated cycle lanes and surface level signal-controlled pedestrian and cycle road crossings.
During a public meeting held earlier this week Basingstoke Cllr Andrew McCormick, said the Brighton Hill Roundabout scheme is going to be “absolutely key” given the number of houses expected to be built in the area and the possibility of a new hospital.
Approving the revised plans, Cllr Rob Humby, executive member for economy, transport and environment at the county council, said the county council has worked closely with councillors in Basingstoke.
He added:
“After planning permission was refused for the Camrose Link Road element of this scheme, it has been necessary to come up with a new approach – to ensure that improvements can be made to Brighton Hill Roundabout that will help ease congestion at busy times of the day, improve safety and provide people with more opportunities to walk and cycle.”
The county council said the Brighton Hill roundabout improvement works are scheduled to start in autumn 2021, for two years.