Hampshire County Council has approved transport policy updates that will support Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, as the local planning authority, in its consideration of potential future residential and commercial development, by indicating the transport impacts of growth in the borough.
In approving the recommendations set out in the Basingstoke Transport Update report, Councillor Edward Heron, Executive Lead Member for Transport and Environment Strategy, responded to some concerns that have been raised locally regarding suggested changes for the A30 and Junctions 7 and 8 of the M3.
Councillor Heron commented: “I have taken account of the views of local Basingstoke and Deane county and borough councillors, as well as those expressed by residents and other stakeholders in the many emails I have received ahead of this meeting. I have also considered the technical evidence and professional advice contained within the study which is set out in the report.
“I believe it is right that I agree the recommended policy updates in order to support local plan making relating to development, with regard to the transport infrastructure improvements that may be needed in the future. If development of the scale envisaged takes place, it will be necessary to reserve land in order that provision is made for this infrastructure to be delivered in the future.
“The proposals outlined in the report are an indication of the type of infrastructure that could potentially be needed to cope with increasing volumes of traffic generated by new development. It would of course be for National Highways to bring forward any detailed proposals for changes to the motorway and, as the report makes clear, there is no funding to make any changes at junctions 7 and 8 currently.”
Hampshire County Council, as the highway authority, will continue to work with the borough council to provide transport infrastructure advice.