ROAD works which caused drivers in Basingstoke to face long delays last week were due to a burst water pipe, the county council has confirmed.

As previously reported, ongoing roadworks caused extreme delays on a major route near Basingstoke on Tuesday morning, January 10.

According to reports, there was approximately a 30-minute delay northbound and at least an hour-long delay southbound on A33 between Great Binfields Roundabout and South Drive near Chineham in Basingstoke.

A reader said it took her an hour and a half to get into Basingstoke from Sherfield-on-Loddon. 

READ MORE: Roadworks cause long delays on A33 near Chineham

"The roadworks are a nightmare," she said.

The situation was made worse when a crash on the M3 involving a lorry resulted in the motorway being closed, the other major route into and out of the town.

The incident happened in the afternoon on Tuesday, January 10. Police and firefighters rushed to the scene of the crash, which involved two vehicles and a car transporter lorry.

A spokesperson from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said: "We’ve had crews on scene at the M3 south, between Fleet services and junction 5 for Hook, following a road traffic incident involving two vehicles and a car transporter.

"Firefighters were called just after 13:45 and crews helped provide immediate emergency care to three drivers.

No one was trapped. We left shortly after 14:20."

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Although no one was seriously hurt, according to the Hampshire Roads Policing Unit posted on Twitter, the lanes were shut for hours on both sides of the carriageway while recovery work took place.

Questions had been raised by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and leader of the Basingstoke Labour group Cllr Andrew McCormick about whether a diversion route should have been in place.

Since then the Gazette has contacted Hampshire County Council which is responsible for managing road works in the borough.

A spokesperson for Hampshire County Council said: “Hampshire County Council liaises with Nationals Highways if roadworks are planned on any tactical diversion routes. 

“The roadworks you are referring to, were for immediate repairs by the utility company to repair burst water mains.  In these circumstances, work can commence without any warning, with permits being granted retrospectively.”