£200m M3 junction plans get green light
Junction 9 is set for major changes - despite objections from nature organisations
Last updated 17th May 2024
A £200 million scheme to improve journeys on the M3 in Hampshire has been given the go-ahead by the Transport Secretary, Mark Harper.
The changes are being made around junction 9 of the motorway near Winchester, which has regularly seen lengthy queues for drivers heading between the motorway and the A34.
National Highways has said the scheme will improve connections between the south coast, the Midlands and London, as well as reducing congestion.
However, environmental groups have criticised the proposal's effect on natural landscapes in the South Downs National Park.
Work on the changes is due to begin in January 2025 and last for around three years.
What changes are being made?
The junction will be widened, with two new bridges built to create a new gyratory, allowing the M3 to increase from 3 lanes to 4 as it passes under the junction.
The southbound slip road onto the M3 will be extended so traffic has more time to join the motorway and improve the safety of the junction with upgraded signs and gantries.
Walkers, cyclists and horse-riders will also benefit from the scheme with non-motorised routes connecting Kings Worthy and Winnall and Long Walk and Easton Lane.
The new junction includes:
Main construction works are due to begin in early in 2025 and will complete in around three years.
• Changes so that it has free-flowing links between the M3 and the A34 in both directions.
• Widening the junction by introducing a fourth lane to both sides of the M3 as it passes under a new gyratory.
• Extending the southbound slip road onto the M3 so traffic has more time to join the motorway and improve the safety of the junction with upgraded signs and gantries.
• Improving provision for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders with non-motorised routes connecting Kings Worthy and Winnall, and Long Walk and Easton Lane.
The proposals also include 2.8km of new cycling and walking provision, including 4 subways and a toucan crossing, along with 1.7km of bridleway.
National Highways’ Senior Project Manager for the scheme, Tom Beasley, said:
"We are delighted with today’s announcement that the DCO for the M3 junction 9 improvement has been granted. We look forward to commencing construction to start solving the issues at the junction.
"This represents years of working with local communities and key stakeholders to create the best possible solution. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the development of the project so far.
"We will continue to work closely with people to keep them informed and minimise disruption as we move into the construction phase."
Mike Hughes, the interim director of planning at the South Downs National Park Authority, said they were 'disappointed' at the ruling, which includes plans for a compound inside the national park's borders.
He added:
"The Authority recognises the need for improvements at this strategically important junction, however, the potential adverse impacts to the South Downs National Park’s landscape, biodiversity and recreational opportunities, together with inadequate mitigation measures, meant that the Authority had no choice but to object to the proposal submitted.
"We are pleased to see that the Development Consent Order has been amended as requested to ensure that the proposed 5 year period in which failed planting would have to be replaced has been increased to 10 years as requested in our objection.
"This is vital to reduce the impact on important habitat including rare and hugely biodiverse chalk grassland, one of the key habitats for which the South Downs was designated as a National Park."