DOZENS of residents have had their say on multi-million pound plans to upgrade a congested bottleneck in Hampshire.

Residents turned out to Pilands Wood Community Centre in Bursledon to voice their views on the Highways England’s £130m scheme aimed at upgrading junction 8 of the M27 and the A3024 corridor leading into Southampton.

Junction 8 and the Windhover Roundabout in Bursledon will be widened to allow increased capacity for cars and improve facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.

Along a four and half mile stretch of the A3024 into Southampton, 25 junctions will also be upgraded to help buses run more efficiently.

In addition, the Northam Road rail bridge leading up to the main Northam Bridge just north of St Mary’s Stadium will be replaced and the road widened and the Bitterne rail bridge will also be improved.

Now residents have had their first chance to have their say and question engineers and members of Highways England involved in the project.

Among the concerns raised by residents during the public consultation there is the impact the scheme would have on existing busy roads such as Hamble Lane and the new housing developments set to be built within the Eastleigh borough.

Jason Tipler, of Hampshire County Council said the scheme will help traffic northbound on Hamble Lane by providing more capacity for drivers getting out Hamble Lane and going towards Windhover roundabout.

Joe Clark project manager, added: “The scheme is helping to allow councils to have these developments. We have to improve the networks to enable the developments to go-ahead and boost the local economy. The scheme will have a positive impact on people’s journey times as there will be reduced congestion, more reliable public transport and better walking and cycling facilities.”

Mr Clark said the project will also help Southampton City Council implement their cycle strategy.

“ We always want to consult on projects we do. The scheme is in a good position where we can show what options we have for the project but also get feedback and response from the members of the public and stakeholders and we will still be able to modify the proposal,” he said.

Mr Clark added that the works will potentially start in March 2020 and will be carried out in phases and at off-peak hours to minimise disruptions.

Funding for the scheme will come from the government’s £15bn roads investment strategy.