MAJOR changes to the M3 motorway which could see two slip roads closed near Basingstoke have come under fire from residents and councillors.

Plans are set to go before Hampshire County Council which would transform junction 7 at Dummer and junction 8 for Popham.

Work would be carried out to remove the south facing slip roads at junction 7 – northbound off slip and southbound on slip – and create two new slip roads south of junction 8.

Council documents say that the existing northbound on slip at junction 7 would require a new merge with lane gain, which would allow traffic to continue into a new lane, amongst other improvements.

It would see drivers use the A30 instead, with major improvement also proposed for the link road.

The proposals have been put in response to a transport assessment in relation to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s local plan. It has revealed that the M3 will be at capacity by the end of the plan period to 2039, council county documents say.

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It adds: “This is before taking account of any additional traffic growth generated through the prospective local plan update.”

The report will go before the county council’s executive lead member for transport and environment strategy Cllr Edward Heron at a decision day on Monday, October 3.

The changes have drawn criticism from residents who have been voicing concerns against the major scheme on social media, while county and borough councillors for the area are asking for the decision to be deferred so that local members can be consulted.

County councillor for Basingstoke South West Stephen Reid said he is ‘amazed and horrified’ that proposals of this magnitude can come to a policy-making decision without the full facts being available and without a consultation with Basingstoke’s county councillors.

He said: “Seeking input from the local members would not only be wise in terms of helping the executive member to make an informed decision, but also a basic courtesy.”

Cllr Reid added: “Motorway traffic would be required to join or leave at a modified junction 8 and to use the A30 instead of the motorway between junctions 7 and 8. That would take it past the preferred location and entrance to North Hampshire’s new hospital.

“I believe that a policy as important as this should be informed by an analysis of the impact it would have on the proposed new hospital. There is no reference to such a study in the decision day papers.

“Not only that, there will be major implications for local residents and businesses in the Dummer and North Waltham areas. The A30 is a busy road that contains important junctions to those villages. When there is an accident or blockage, Dummer especially suffers from A30 traffic rat-running through the village.

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“For me, the proposed new hospital is the single most important infrastructure project in the Basingstoke and North Hampshire area. I think it is utterly wrong, therefore, for such a major decision to be made without consultation with local members and without a detailed understanding of its potential impact.”

Hospital chiefs are currently in discussions about the potential relocation of Basingstoke hospital to a site near junction 7, and there is a planning appeal process ongoing surrounding a huge distribution centre earmarked for Lidl also at junction 7 which would result in an increase in traffic.

Borough councillor for the area Samir Kotecha said the potential impact on the proposed new hospital because of planned changes should be investigated.

He added: “It’s not only about the new hospital though, but also the Dummer and North Waltham areas and the effects it could have on local businesses which create jobs, some of which could be lost.

“The burden on the A30 will cause rat-running through the villages. Our county councillor has asked the executive member, Cllr Edward Heron to defer consideration of this proposal. Extra time would help them get the views of local members who have not been consulted and get the full facts together.”

If supported by Cllr Heron, a public consultation will take place later this year, while design and optioneering work would start, and engagement with landowners that may be impacted by the options.