WORK on a £247,000 cycling and walking route is due to begin next week.

Hampshire County Council will deliver an enhanced walking and cycling route over eight weeks linking Nursling Industrial Estate with Southampton City Council’s cycle network.

Work will include the widening of the top section embankment to allow for the cycle path, kerbing and edging work, footpath construction, cycle way signs and more.

Councillor Rob Humby, Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment, said: “Once complete, this route will mean that people can walk and cycle to and from work.

"The three-metre-wide, shared use pedestrian and cycle route from Andes Road, will link to the Nursling industrial estates.

"The aim is to improve sustainable travel facilities for local people, employees of local businesses, commuters travelling between Southampton and Romsey, and for leisure cyclists.”

Councillor Jacqui Rayment, Cabinet Member for Place and Transport, said: “The new route due to be developed by Hampshire County Council will provide enhanced walking and cycling links for people travelling between Test Valley and Southampton and for commuters accessing key employment hubs such as Ordnance Survey at Adanac Park.

"This investment in sustainable travel will make an important contribution to our long-term aims of reducing congestion and improving air quality across the city.”

Councillor Humby added: “Daytime lane closures on Test Lane will be controlled by traffic lights during the day, to help manage traffic flow as work takes place between 7:30am to 4:30pm.

"We will ensure that access to businesses will be maintained at all times."

Colas Ltd have been appointed to construct the £247,000 scheme.