Major Roadworks Start in North Hampshire & West Berkshire
Disruption may be caused in Basingstoke & Newbury
Scheme 1: A339 Newbury
Work on improvements along the A339 between the Pinchington Lane Roundabout in Newbury and the entrance to the Household Waste Recycling Centre will start on Monday, 5 October.
The A339 will be widened on both sides to make room for two lanes in both directions and a new traffic light controlled junction installed.
The new junction will connect the A339 to a link road to the new Highwood Copse Primary School and will include a pedestrian crossing to allow users to safely cross the A339.
The project, which is part funded by Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s Local Growth Deal Funding, also includes relocation of underground pipes and cables on both sides of the A339, significant surface water drainage works and footway construction.
Richard Somner, West Berkshire’s Executive Member for Transport and Countryside, said:
“This project will offer long term benefits by providing necessary infrastructure. Initially, the new junction will serve Highwood Copse and is a planning condition for the school. In addition, it also has the potential to provide essential access to housing in the future."
Bob Mountain, Co-Chairman for the Berkshire Strategic Transport Forum, added:
“We are pleased to see Growth Deal Funding contributing to important infrastructure to help make progress around the priorities of housing delivery and supporting the local economy. We also really welcome this project supporting access to a new education provision.”
18-month project
Works are due to start on 5 October 2020 and last until early Spring 2022. Once the work is underway, weekly progress updates will be posted on the project blog at www.westberks.gov.uk/a339.
Scheme 2: A340 Thornycroft Roundabout, Basingstoke
Hampshire County Council is trying to improve congestion for businesses and residents in Basingstoke with the next stage of a major improvement scheme at the Thornycroft roundabout which will begin on 5 October with six weeks of scheduled night works.
Working hours will be 8 pm to 5:30 am Monday to Friday from Monday 5 October to minimise disruption for those going to work, school and college in the area.
Councillor Rob Humby, Deputy Leader of Hampshire County Council and Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment, said:
“This project aims to reduce journey times and improve traffic flows on the A340 corridor. To manage traffic effectively, avoid delays, and ensure the safety of our workforce, it will be necessary to close sections of the roundabout in phases at night, meaning a short diversion will be required and will be fully signposted. Pedestrians and cyclists are advised to continue using the existing subways and footbridge to cross the main roads and not approach the works area. Temporary signage will be in place for guidance.
“Whilst every effort will be made to keep disruption to a minimum, the nature of the works means that some disturbance is to be expected, for which I apologise in advance. We are asking people to plan their journeys.”
£9.5 Million
The £9.5 million Thornycroft roundabout improvement scheme is according to the council part of a multi-million-pound package of transport improvements being delivered in the Basingstoke area, which also include improvements to Brighton Hill Roundabout, Aldermaston Road, Winchester Road Roundabout, the A33 Popley Way, Crockford Roundabout, Ringway Roundabout, Binfields Roundabout and Thornhill Way.
For more information visit the County Council’s scheme webpage: https://www.hants.gov.uk/transport/transportschemes/thornycroftroundaboutbasingstoke