INFRASTRUCTURE and road improvements could be put in jeopardy by the impact of two proposed service stations in Basingstoke.

This is why the town’s MP Maria Miller has launched a Parliamentary Petition to demonstrate residents’ concerns about two separate proposals for new motorway service areas on the M3.

The proposed services at Black Dam are currently being considered by the local authority, while the proposal for Hatch Warren has not yet been submitted for planning approval, with details expected to go out for a second round of public consultation in the next few months. Basingstoke residents have highlighted to Maria the significant environmental and road traffic concerns that both developments raise.

More than 70 people were at the launch of the petition in Hatch Warren and Old Basing today to be among the first signatures.

Mrs Miller said: “Tens of millions of taxpayers’ money has been spent to improve our roads, and our sewage works have been upgraded to cope with new housing. All the improvements are put in jeopardy by these two commercial proposals, which were not called for in our Local Plan.

 “Many residents have told me of their considerable concerns about these proposals, and that they are simply not needed, given that the existing services at Fleet and Winchester are only 23 miles apart.

“It is of no benefit to local resident as it is businesses putting forward a business plan. This petition is an opportunity for the people of Basingstoke to make their voices heard loud and clear.”

Geoff Burnes from Basingstoke South West Action Group (SWAG) who have been actively campaigning against the proposed plans added: “An MSA (Motorway Service Area) between Junction 6 and 7 could cause all sorts of motorway safety issues. 

“With an MSA located on the approach to Junction 7 there would be no fewer than three junctions within the space of three miles.  One of these junctions is the notorious sub-standard Junction 8 which involves drivers having to make rapid and confusing decisions on lane choice for either the M3 or the A303.  Highways England admits that there are already safety challenges between the existing Junction 7 and Junction 8.”

Hatch Warren and Beggarwood ward councillor, Cllr Dan Putty added: “We have taken pride in making Hatch Warren and Beggarwood one of the premier places to live in Basingstoke, and it is developers like Applegreen who want to come in and add to the noise and air pollution.

“This would just be a huge slap in the face for all the work we have done in making the area a place when people want to live, work and play.”

Councillor Onnalee Cubitt, who represents Basing Ward, where the Black Dam service is proposed said: “Basingstoke residents say our stretch of the M3 has enough excellent 24-hour motorway services already in between Junction 4 and 5 at Fleet and between 8 and 9 near Winchester.

“This proposal is a risk to our historic environment and treasured landscape. Basingstoke residents don’t want 24-hour blots on our local landscape polluting our nights, our air and our water.”

Due to Parliamentary rules a hard copy of the petition must be signed rather than any online version. Copies of the petition can be downloaded from Maria’s website at maria4basingstoke-admin.conservativewebsites.org.uk/news/parliamentary-petition-basingstoke-residents-against-motorway-service-areas.