A MULTI-million-pound cash injection to improve two key gateways into Basingstoke has been approved by the Enterprise M3 local enterprise partnership.

Nearly £10million of funding for improvements to the A340 and the A33 has been approved by the board of the local enterprise partnership at a meeting last week.

The funding was given to the partnership as part of the Government’s growth deal.

Improvements to the A33, which will cost £6.56m, is aimed at getting more businesses to locate to the town by providing great links between Basingstoke, the M4 and Reading.

As part of the scheme, work will take place along the A339/A33 Ringway Roundabout, Popley Way, the Crockford Lane Roundabout, Binfields Roundabout and the A33/Gaiger Avenue Roundabout, in Sherfield Park.

It is hoped the improvements will reduce congestion for cars and buses during the peak hours and help pedestrians and cyclists crossing the A33.

Another £3.34m has been agreed to improve two junctions on the A340.

The proposed work will reduce congestion and improve safety at the Lodge junction, as well as supporting traffic management measures through the Rooksdown area to reduce rat-running and improve pedestrian and cycle routes between homes in the area and the hospital.

Leader of the borough council, Cllr Clive Sanders, said: “We are always looking for opportunities to attract funding to improve the infrastructure in our borough to attract businesses to bring more jobs here and improve the lives of our residents.

“So far we have been successful to the tune of £23m in gaining Government funding for major road improvements thanks to Enterprise M3.

“This is recognition that we are seen by the regional enterprise partnership as one of its key economic centres. It will unlock the true potential of our excellent business location, with faster transport links to London, the Thames Valley and the South Coast ports.”

Geoff French, chair of Enterprise M3 local enterprise partnership, added: “Basingstoke has been identified in our strategic economic plan as a growth town, one of the drivers of economic growth in our area.

“Economic prosperity in our area is not possible without an effective and reliable transport network. That is why we have placed transport, and the need for significant improvements to it, at the heart of our economic strategy for the area.”