PLANS for a new bus network that could revolutionise pubic transport across Fareham have been revealed.

Civic chiefs in Fareham and Gosport are pressing the Government for millions of pounds to expand the South East Hampshire bus rapid transit (BRT) scheme.

Currently, the existing BRT runs on a 2.8 mile stretch between Fareham and Bridgemary which is served by the Eclipse bus, which was used by two million people last year.

But the new proposal would see a dedicated busway running to Gosport town centre in the south which received planning consent recently.

Alongside this, councillors are also exploring the potential to connect the line up with Cosham in the east via Portchester, Welborne in the North and Whiteley in the west.

Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage has also met chancellor Philip Hammond last year to discuss the importance of the Gosporr extension. 

Councillor Graham Burgess, deputy leader of Gosport Borough Council said: “It has been a massive success for people in Gosport and Fareham as the A32 is the most polluted road in the area.

“Any money that is put into the BRT by central government will be welcomed to severely reduce traffic on the A32 and improve the air quality for those living in the area.”

Gosport councillor Peter Edgar, who represents Alverstoke said: “I welcome any expansion of the BRT network which has been hugely successful since it’s original launch, it does a fantastic job.”

Councillor Sean Woodward, leader of Fareham Borough Council said: “I want to see a BRT network that stretches across the south of Hampshire which I have been campaigning for a long time.”

Norman Pasley, from Fareham and Gosport Friends of the Earth, added: “I understand that the BRT has attracted a lot of extra passengers and it is a very regular service that is very well regarded.

''Traffic congestion is a problem in Fareham so we need to try and remove this congestion in an appropriate way by using innovative projects which explore the needs of the public and use their requirements to find projects to reduce air pollution.”

Councillor Shaun Cunningham, who represents Portchester East on Fareham Borough Council added: “The priority must be to get the BRT into Welborne but people need to recognize that there are challenges on the route.

Hampshire County Council will now explore funding options for the scheme.