MOTORISTS are to face two years of roadworks as works to build a multi-million pound bypass in Hampshire have begun.

The long-awaited £34m Stubbington bypass near Fareham is now under construction as works started yesterday and are expected to be completed in 24 months.

Highway bosses said disruption will be kept to a minimum as most of the works will be done across fields.

But some lane and overnight road closures are expected to be in place towards the end of the scheme to allow the road to be resurfaced.

The project will see the construction of a new single carriageway road between the B3354 Titchfield Road and Gosport Road passing to the north and east of Stubbington, the widening of Titchfield Road and improvements to the A27 Titchfield Gyratory.

Civic chiefs said the bypass will divert traffic around the outskirts of Stubbington and reduce journey time and peak hour congestion onto and off the Gosport peninsula as well as supporting long-term plans for regeneration and economic development.

The project is led by Hampshire County Council in partnership with Solent LEP.

Cllr Rob Humby, executive member for economy, transport and environment at the county council, said: “This new road is to ease traffic flow and it is about helping businesses. Businesses have told us that the issue is getting in and off the peninsula. Improving traffic time will address some of the issues that businesses have told us.”

The detailed plans which were revealed in a public event held in Stubbington yesterday, show that there would not be lane closures between 6am and 9.30am and 3.30pm to 7pm Monday to Friday and all day on Saturday. Traffic lights will be in place throughout the day with a temporary 30mph speed limit.

The county council said towards the end of the scheme road surfacing will require overnight road closures but details are yet to be released.

The new scheme will also see a revised signal-controlled junction at the A27/B3334 Titchfield Gyratory, a new 3.5km single carriageway road with an off-road footway and cycleway as well as pedestrian crossing islands. There will also be a new signal-controlled junction at Peak Lane with pedestrian and cycle crossings. The speed limit on Peak Lane between Stubbington and Longfield Avenue will be reduced to 50mph.

Cllr Pal Hayre, county councillor for Fareham Crofton, said: “It has taken a long time but once it is built it will be very beneficial for commuters and residents and the residents will have their village back and also it will stop rat running.”