TWO highway improvement schemes have been given the green light after Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Cabinet agreed to transfer land needed for the projects to Hampshire County Council.

The borough council’s decision-making Cabinet approved the transfer of land at Popley Way, Popley and Ashwood Way, Winklebury, at a meeting held at the council offices last night.

Hampshire County Council has secured funding from the Department for Transport for the schemes but one of the conditions imposed on the funding is that the work needs to be completed by the end of March 2016.

However, to carry out the work, the county council needs small parcels of land that are currently owned by the borough council.

The county council is planning to fill in an underpass, which runs under Popley Way and comes out of the opposite side of the road near Don Allen Drive, and replace it with a signal controlled toucan crossing, traffic islands and improved and wider pedestrian footpaths.

A report for Cabinet members said the underpass has become susceptible to flooding and the steepness makes it difficult for people with mobility problems.

In addition to this project, the county council is aiming to improve cycle provision in Winklebury by using small parcels of land in Ashwood Way and Watson Way in Winklebury, to widen an existing path to create a shared pedestrian and cycleway route.

Hampshire County Council's executive member for economy, transport and environment, Councillor Seán Woodward, said: “On completion I have no doubt that local residents and commuters will see a great improvement and that, in turn, will have a positive impact on the local economy.”

Cabinet members agreed to transfer the land to the county council at nil value.