Hampshire gets funding boost to cut congestion and generate jobs
Thursday, 11 October 2012
Hampshire's residents and businesses are celebrating following the announcement this week of a £13 million Government funding boost for strategic roads in Hampshire, aimed at tackling congestion and generating employment.
The funding for Hampshire represents around 75 per cent of the cash awarded for the whole of the south east and will be targeted at upgrading 'bottlenecks' and reducing gridlock along major routes including the M27, M3, A34 and A3.
Keeping Hampshire moving
The money will help to keep traffic moving, with the creation of extra lanes and improved slip roads to increase capacity at traffic 'hotspots'.
Councillor Mel Kendal, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Transport and Environment said:
"This news is very welcome as we have been working closely with a range of partners including the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) to secure funding to keep Hampshire moving. Roads and highways are vital for Hampshire's continuing economic prosperity and this new investment signals thousands of new homes and jobs by 2020. Improved roads and reduced congestion will help to support the delivery of the new eco-town for Bordon Whitehill, improve access to Southampton Airport and cut congestion for all road users. Reduced congestion will also help reduce our carbon footprint.
Partnership working recognised
"The Highways Agency has recognised our partnership work on developing the supporting evidence and we will build on this success for the future. Of the eight schemes announced in the South East, five are in Hampshire. The investment also reflects the key priorities of the County Council together with those of the Solent and Enterprise M3 LEPs".
"We will continue working closely with the Highways Agency on scheme delivery to minimise disruption during construction."
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