A WILDLIFE charity has said it is "dismayed" by "unacceptable" plans to transform an area of motorway.

In May, Highways England unveiled its plans for Junction 9 of the M3 at Winnall claiming that the work will "increase capacity, help reduce journey times and improve safety".

A consultation is currently running on the plans to create free-flowing lanes at the junction and is set to end on July 8 after a previous consultation took place in 2019.

But now, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust has spoken out against the project, saying that there is an "unacceptable lack of consideration for the environment."

The Trust argues that the works will "destroy and further fragment important protected habitats in Winnall Moors Nature Reserve and cause local declines in wildlife" and is now calling for Highways England to be held accountable for their "damaging projects".

A spokesperson for the charity said: "Mitigation plans are extremely limited and lack any ambition to make the project a net gain for nature. They also fail to address the legacy of damage from the creation of the M3 at Twyford Down, one of the most controversial road schemes in English history.

"The landscape around Winchester is already severely fragmented by the road network. The motorway construction in the early 90s cut a vital link between the South Downs and nature reserves and green space in Winchester, severely impacting wildlife and people. The damage has never been adequately addressed and is now at risk of being compounded."

Now the Trust wants Highways England to rethink the plans and instead create a nature-positive project and is urging residents to write in and express their concerns through the consultation.

Debbie Tann, Chief Executive of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, added: “We are incredibly frustrated that these plans are being put forward. The proposals represent a regressive approach to development.

"A continuation of a road-building philosophy that is unconcerned by the obligation to prevent harm and misses opportunities to make restitution for previous damages.

"This scheme forgoes any credible attempt to achieve the biodiversity net-gain that any responsible developer must put front and centre and represents a colossal failure of ambition and responsibility to achieve development that builds sympathetically with nature.”

Highways England was approached for comment but was unable to respond before the Echo went to press.