Wildlife campaigners criticise M3 Winchester junction plans

Conservationists have warned proposals to improve one of the busiest junctions on the M3 show a "lack of consideration for the environment".

The plans for junction 9 at Winchester (Winnall) are designed to improve safety, reduce congestion and make journeys quicker for traffic moving between the M3 and the A34.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust has accused Highways England of lacking any ambition to make the project a net gain for nature.

The trust said the scheme would destroy and further fragment important protected habitats in Winnall Moors Nature Reserve and cause local declines in wildlife.

Chief executive Debbie Tann said: "The proposals represent a regressive approach to development.

"A continuation of a road-building philosophy that is unconcerned by the obligation to prevent harm and misses opportunities to make restitution for previous damages.

"This scheme forgoes any credible attempt to achieve the biodiversity net-gain that any responsible developer must put front and centre and represents a colossal failure of ambition and responsibility to achieve development that builds sympathetically with nature."

A public consultation ends on 8 July

Highways England said the improvements would reduce queuing and delays, and improve air quality.

Senior project manager, Jon Roose said: "I urge anyone interested in the scheme to visit our virtual exhibition to find out more about the proposals and share their thoughts with us.

"People's feedback on our proposals will help us develop plans and deliver improvements which benefit road users, the local community and the environment."

Full details of the consultation and how to get involved are available online at: https://highwaysengland.co.uk/our-work/south-east/m3-junction-9-improvements/