With the Planning Inspectorate’s report issued to the Secretary of State for Transport, Steve Brine MP met with National Highways for an update on the M3 Junction 9 improvement works.
The Member of Parliament for Winchester and Chandler’s Ford met with members of the team from National Highways and their contractors Volker Fitzpatrick and Balfour Beatty to discuss the progress of the improvement works following the close of the public examination.
Steve says: “I’m incredibly grateful to the team for giving me a clear and concise update on the plans.
“Improvements to Junction 9 have been a long-standing ambition of mine, going back beyond even the 14 years I have been our MP and I know most my constituents will be relieved to know we are nearly there.
“We are of course now in waiting game with all eyes on Mark Harper as Secretary of State for Transport, but I shall be keep close tabs on developments before and after a decision is made.”
Tom Beasley of National Highways adds: “I’m pleased that the next important milestone for this project has been reached and that the recommendation report has been issued from the Planning Inspectorate to the Secretary of State. The improvement of Junction 9 and the congestion relief it will bring is vitally important not only to the local community but to the wider region.”
The Secretary of State for Transport, Mark Harper MP, has until the 17th May to respond to the Planning Inspectorate’s report. A positive decision will allow construction to start in January 2025 and be completed in 2027.
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Pictured: Courtney Cross, VolkerFitzpatrick, Thomas Beasley, National Highways and Steve Brine MP