MAJOR plans to transform how drivers use the M3 near Basingstoke have come under fire from residents and councillors.

A scheme to redesign junctions 7 and 8 of the motorway have been revealed ahead of a Hampshire County Council decision day on Monday, October 3.

Under the proposals 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.

It would see drivers diverted on to the A30 instead of continuing on the M3, with major improvement also proposed for the link road.

You can read the full story in this week’s edition of the Gazette. Also in this week's paper:

  • Concerns raised after Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council buys Premier Inn for £8.7million
  • Councillors criticised for failing to reject housing numbers and delaying local plan again
  • New police chief for Basingstoke sets out priorities for tackling crime in borough
  • Photos from this year’s St Michael’s Hospice Moonlight Walk which raised thousands of pounds
  • PLUS: All the latest from Basingstoke Magistrates' Court
  • Two pages of your letters to the editor
  • Two pages of news from our communities
  • An eight-page puzzle special
  • A page of business news
  • Two pages of entertainment news
  • Two pages of sports news.
  • And much more!