HAMPSHIRE County Council are refusing to extend the consultation period on controversial improvement plans for a major junction, according to one Basingstoke councillor.

Borough Cllr Andy Konieczko (Liberal Democrat, Brighton Hill North) says that the council have refused to give residents more time to share their feedback on the proposed upgrades to Brighton Hill roundabout, which has so far divided opinion.

Cllr Konieczko and the Lib Dem group leader on Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Cllr Gavin James, have previously called on the council to extend the consultation process, because of concerns that residents will not be able to find out about the plans and submit their views amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Because of social distancing measures, a public drop-in event will not be heard, whilst telephone calls are not being taken on the lines that the council put on the letters to residents.

And last week, a group of Labour councillors from across Brighton Hill and South Ham added their concerns about both the scheme and the consultation period.

Speaking to the Gazette, Cllr Konieczko said: "We heard back [on Wednesday] that Hampshire County Council has refused to give residents more time to share their feedback.

"I think this is disappointing - not just because of the challenges of making people aware of the consultation during a lockdown, but also because those residents that have contacted me about the proposals are expressing serious concerns about pedestrian safety.

"It now makes it even more important that people have their say before midnight next Wednesday, 10 June.

"I’m hearing from residents that they’re concerned about the safety of the roundabout because of the loss of the subways, particularly with so many schools in the area.

"The number of traffic lights is also a worry, as it could disrupt the traffic flow. These are legitimate concerns to which Hampshire County Council needs to listen and respond.

"The timing and length of the consultation does raise questions. Hampshire County Council claims to have had a good response rate - we’ll see exactly what that means when the consultation report is published."

The latest updates to the £20 million project, which is being funded by the EM3 Local Enterprise Partnership as well as HCC, will see the subways filled in and replaced with a number of at-grade traffic-light crossings, whilst the controversial Camrose link road remains.

This will allow for the Western Way entry onto the roundabout to be closed.

There are improved cycling facilities, whilst the centre of the roundabout will be re-profiled.

However, Cllr Konieczko labelled the project, which was due to begin this year following the completion of Thornycroft works, as "a missed opportunity".

"[It is] a missed opportunity to create a new junction that takes into the accounts the needs of drivers, cyclists and pedestrians - and encourages us all towards the low carbon future that we want to see.

"And a missed opportunity to set a new standard in what virtual public consultation could look like, taking advantage of videos and chat functions to engage residents in a way that promotes more public participation."

Hampshire County Council have been contacted for comment.

The consultation closes at midnight on Wednesday (June 10), and you can view the plans and have your say at https://www.hants.gov.uk/transport/transportschemes/A30brightonhillroundabout.