A ROAD which has been closed whilst work is carried out to construct a new John Lewis At home and Waitrose store may not re-open until August.

As previously reported in The Gazette, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council said the road through Basing View, which closed in November last year so work could start on the multi-million-pound development, would not be open at the end of May as originally planned.

Now, an update on the borough council’s website states that the road is not due to open until mid-August, meaning all traffic will continue to be diverted through Basing View.

It adds: “Access to and from Basing View will still be possible from both Eastrop roundabout and Norn Hill but, while the diversion is in place, motorists should be prepared to expect delays during the morning and evening peak periods due to the extra traffic, including buses, using the estate roads.

“The borough council, working with Hampshire County Council and Bowmer and Kirkland, will be monitoring traffic levels during this time to review whether any additional temporary traffic management measures are necessary to help particular junctions.”

A date for the opening of the 78,000sq ft John Lewis At home and Waitrose store has not yet been announced, but the company is currently recruiting to fill the 330 jobs created.

It is thought the store is on target to open later this year.