Village bypass gets more than £16m for completion

The construction of a bypass around a village has been given a more than £16m towards completion.

Hampshire County Council has agreed to increase the budget for the Botley bypass, taking the ongoing projects costs to £48m.

Work on the final phase of the scheme, which was first granted planning permission in 2017, is likely to begin in spring 2025 and be completed in 2027.

The council said it awarded the extra funding to account for a rise in construction and materials costs due to inflation, and also to cover unforeseen ground condition issues at a river crossing.

The next stage in the project, run by Milestone Infrastructure, will see a new road from Winchester Street, heading eastwards, crossing the River Hamble to a new roundabout at the A334/A3051 junction.

It will also see new and improved footways and cycleways that will be provided as part of the project which will improve active travel in the area, alongside complementary measures in Botley village centre.

Councillor Nick Adams-King, leader of Hampshire County Council, said: “It’s important to provide transport infrastructure that creates the capacity to cope with additional traffic on the road network and minimise impacts on local communities.

"Completing this scheme will benefit residents and businesses in and around Botley village enormously, by reducing congestion, improving traffic capacity and, in turn, reducing noise and pollution in the village.

"To be able to agree the extra financial support required to fulfil our longstanding commitment to build the bypass is very positive.”

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