PLANS for a multi-million-pound improvement project at one of Basingstoke’s major roundabouts went on show to the public this week.

Representatives from the Highways Agency, Hampshire County Council and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council held a public exhibition detailing the improvements being made to Black Dam Roundabout.

As previously reported by The Gazette, the redevelopment of Black Dam Roundabout was announced by the Government in 2012, as part of its national Pinch Point Programme, after the Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership, involving representatives from private and public sector organisations from north Hampshire and Surrey, submitted a bid for the cash.

As part of the £10million scheme, four lanes of northbound traffic will be directed into the centre of the roundabout and an additional two-arm lane is also set to 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.

In addition, the project is set to see the realignment and widening of all approaches, the installation of safety barriers, new traffic signs, signals and street lights.

And the scheme will also have benefits for pedestrians and cyclists as a refuge island will be added to the approach to the roundabout to allow people to cross the A30 and access Redbridge Lane.

The main construction work will begin on the roundabout from Monday, October 13 – and the work is set to continue until next summer.

Neil Andrew, asset manager at the Highways Agency, told The Gazette: “We are trying to minimise disruption as much as possible while compromising with local residents. During the course of the day and outside of the peak parts of the night, we will have lane closures, and throughout the scheme we will be operating at 30mph.

“In terms of diversions, we are trying to get individuals to subscribe to the Highways Agency website. There will be closures and dates are subject to weather and how the work is progressing with statutory diversions such as gas, water and other utilities.”

Mark Brownett, of Lefroy Avenue, South View, Basingstoke, said: “It needs improving and personally I think they are doing a substantial amount. I am concerned about what will happen during the works but whatever construction work is on, you are going to have diversions.”

The Highways Agency will be holding an information session on the scheme for businesses at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s offices, in London Road, from 8am next Tuesday.

To attend, email Eduardo Hernandez at eduardo.hernandez@basingstoke.gov.uk.