THE deadline for residents to sign a petition opposing two service stations applications in Basingstoke is fast approaching.

Basingstoke’s MP Maria Miller set up the parliamentary petition opposing the plans to build service stations at Black Dam and Hatch Warren.

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 Mrs Miller the significant environmental and road traffic concerns that both developments raise.

Since launching the petition, thousands of people have shown their support and voiced their objections to the plans.

With the deadline set for Monday, 16 April, Mrs Miller is urging all those who have yet to sign the petition to do so ahead of this closing date.

Mrs Miller said: “I launched this petition on March 5 to demonstrate Basingstoke residents’ concerns about these two separate proposals for new motorway service areas.

“Residents had told me of their concerns about road safety and congestion, and about damage to the environment. It is clear that these concerns are well founded.”

She added: “Thousands of residents have already signed the petition, and I would encourage all those who wish to sign up and have their say, to do so before the deadline of Monday, 16 April.

“As well as downloading the petition from my website, there will also be an opportunity to sign the petition from noon to 1.00pm on Saturday, 14 April, outside the Willis Museum at the Top of the Town. 

“After that, I will present the petition formally in Parliament. The more signatures we have, the greater the impact will be.”

Due to Parliamentary rules, a hard copy of the petition must be signed, rather than an online version. Hard copies of the petition can be downloaded from Maria’s website – maria4basingstoke.co.uk