HAMPSHIRE County Council’s road chief has defended a number of road improvement schemes that will see people across Basingstoke endure three years of traffic misery.

Public exhibitions are being held this week for people across Basingstoke to have a look at road improvement schemes that will take place across the town between now and 2018.

The schemes, which will cost around £24 million, include work to improve capacity and the safety of the Winchester Road and Thornycroft roundabouts, the A340 Aldermaston Road, Crockford Lane roundabout, Binfields roundabout, the Taylors Farm roundabout and improvements to the A33/Popley Way junction.

This work is on top of the £10 million improvement project to Black Dam roundabout, which will see four lanes of northbound traffic directed into the centre of the roundabout.

In addition, a two-arm lane will be added to allow motorists travelling on the A30 to join the centre of the new roundabout, easing congestion for people going to the town centre and on the A339.

The man in charge of Basingstoke’s roads at Hampshire County Council has defended the three-year project, saying that the county council would do all it could to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum during the works, including night-time working.

Executive member for economy, transport and environment councillor Seán Woodward told The Gazette: “There is clearly going to be a lot of work going on, but not for three years straight and every scheme is going to be phased.

“I have pleasure in celebrating the fact that we have managed to get many millions of pounds to improve Basingstoke’s road network and all of the junctions and roundabouts that have had many complaints about over many years of congestion.

“They are desperately needed. There is a very old phrase, you can’t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs, and that is true here. They are not just going to magically appear overnight.”

Cllr Woodward added: “It is the biggest investment in roads Hampshire County Council has seen and a lot of money is being spent in Basingstoke.

“Over the years there have been traffic problems around Basingstoke and these are pinch points and what we don’t believe in doing is fixing one and releasing traffic. We are trying to deal with them all.”

Leader of the borough’s Labour group, cllr Gary Watts, said that three years is a “long time” but that the works are needed.

He added: “Hopefully these roadworks will mean getting around the Basingstoke area will be easier in the future. We have got a pinch point at Black Dam and hopefully that will be alleviated once it is completed."