Highways England is launching a six-week consultation for people to have their say on new plans to improve the busy M3 junction 9 at Winchester.
Caption: An artist's impression of what the new M3 junction 9 will look like when complete
The plan to widen the M3 locally to the junction will include:
- New road and roundabout design to provide free-flow links between the M3 and A34 for those traveling between Newbury and Southampton
- Widening the mainline M3 to create four traffic lanes in each direction
- Rearranging the main junction 9 roundabout with a new elongated design
- Building three new bridges and a number of other structures, including an improved bridge over the River Itchen, and new underpasses
- Revising walking and cycling routes
- Improving the motorway slip-roads.
The consultation will run from Thursday 27 May until Thursday 8 July 2021 with the new plans taking into account feedback from a previous consultation in summer 2019.
The consultation will provide full details of the planned work and timelines. Due to Covid-19 restrictions there will be no events for people to attend in person. However, there will be a range of virtual ways people can get involved and understand the proposals, speak to the project team and ask questions about the scheme.
Highways England senior project manager Jon Roose said:
“Our new plans for the M3 at junction 9 will increase capacity, help reduce journey times and improve safety. We have taken feedback from the previous consultation into account and we’re looking forward to showing people these new designs and talking through the improvements. I would urge anyone interested in the scheme to visit our virtual exhibition to find out more about the proposals and feedback their thoughts to us. There are also various ways they can engage the team directly to ask questions or just find out more.”
Steve Brine MP for Winchester and Chandler’s Ford said:
“This project has been a long time in coming to even this stage but it’s no less important now, to the local and national infrastructure piece, than it was when first conceived. We’ve got to take people with us and get this done so I hope as many as possible will take part in the consultation.”
Hampshire County Councillor, Rob Humby, added:
“We welcome the improvements that Highways England has planned for Junction 9 of the M3. This location is pivotal, both strategically and locally, to Winchester, and we look forward to working with them on the project as it progresses.”
A virtual exhibition will be available where people can learn more about the changes, study plans and drawings, watch a video of the proposals and submit comments.
There will also be several online webinars held on Microsoft Teams where a presentation will be given followed by questions from attendees. Places will be limited to ensure everyone attending can ask any questions they may have. Places will be issued on a first come, first served basis.
The online webinars will take place as follows:
- Wednesday 2 June from 7-8.30pm
- Saturday 5 June from 30-4.30pm
- Tuesday 8 June from 9:30 - 10:30
- Thursday 10 June from 7-8pm
- Monday 14 June from 7-8pm
- Tuesday 15 June from 7-8pm
- Thursday 17 June from 7-8pm
Anyone interested in attending can book a place by emailing: [email protected] or call: 0300 123 5000. Highways England is also hosting a telephone surgery service with members of the project team who will be happy discuss proposals and answer any questions. Appointments will be available Monday to Friday between midday and 7pm, and Saturday between 10am and 4pm throughout the consultation period. Anyone wanting an appointment should Email [email protected] or call 0300 123 5000.
For full details of the consultation and how to get involved are available online now at https://highwaysengland.co.uk/our-work/south-east/m3-junction-9-improvements/
