A HAMPSHIRE county councillor, who is set to make a huge call on the future layout of M3 between junction 7 and junction 8 near Basingstoke, said he will consider carefully any submissions made to him at the meeting on Monday, October 3.

Hampshire County Council’s executive lead member for environment and transport strategy, Coullr Edward Heron also added that he is aware of the concerns expressed about the transport strategy update.

The county council is proposing major changes to the M3 motorway which would transform junction 7 at Dummer and junction 8 for Popham.

READ MORE: National Highways says it has no plans to change layout

The council’s proposal is 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.

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 the decision to be deferred so that local members can be consulted.

Reacting to the complaints, Cllr Heron said: “I know that some concerns have been expressed about the Basingstoke Transport Strategy Update which I am due to receive at a public meeting on Monday.

“In determining whether to agree any recommendations or not, I will also consider carefully, of course, any submissions made to me at that meeting.”

The meeting will start at 2pm on Monday, October 3.

The remote meeting will be recorded and broadcast live via the county council’s website.

National Highways confirmed last week to the Gazette that it has not provided any recommendations to the county council, and it has no plan to change the motorway layout.

SEE ALSO: National Highways says it has no plans to change M3 layout

National Highways’ spatial planning manager Patrick Blake said: “We are aware of the study by Hampshire Country Council and have been engaged throughout its development.

“However, National Highways has not provided any recommendations. We are not able to offer a view of the deliverability and appropriateness of the potential options identified by the study, and as such National Highways doesn’t have any plan or proposal to improve or change the M3 between junctions 7 and 8.”