A326 Waterside improvement plans face widespread opposition

Hampshire County Council received 384 representations on proposals to upgrade the road between Michigan Way in west Totton and Main Road at Dibden.

The scheme includes 2.6km of new dual carriageway, a 1.5km additional southbound lane, improvements at eight junctions, seven controlled crossings and a new junction near the Pilgrim Inn.

The council says it aims to reduce congestion, improve walking and cycling links, support economic growth and reduce traffic impacts on the New Forest.

The estimated cost is £187m, with 85 per cent being sought from government.

However, objectors fear the improvements stop before existing congestion points further south, leaving much of the southern A326 as single carriageway.

On a public representation, resident Caroline Sarson said: “The thought of the scale of these works and the negative effects upon those of us who live at the southern end of the road, potentially for years, fills me with despair.”

Another resident, Christine Reeve, warned: “The disruption will be enormous to people travelling to work and hospital appointments.”

Copythorne Parish Council raised concerns about ancient woodland along the route, despite the scheme’s Environmental Statement concluding there would be no loss.

The parish council said there were no “exceptional reasons” to “destroy” ancient woodland along the proposed widening.

Transport Action Network called for the application to be refused, saying: “The huge cost of the project, financial and environmental, is not justified by these miniscule time savings.”

The scheme would replace Netley Marsh roundabout with traffic lights.

Hunters Crescent Residents Action Group fears that allowing traffic to flow more freely through Netley Marsh would simply shift the bottleneck south to Fletchwood roundabout, near Hunters Crescent.

The group said: “This will not resolve the problem, it will simply move the problem to the Fletchwood roundabout where it will create an even bigger and more dangerous problem.”

Some objections also linked the road scheme to Associated British Ports' (ABP) Solent Gateway 2 automotive terminal plans between Marchwood and Hythe, which would have included a new road connection to the A326.

However, ABP recently withdrew Solent Gateway 2 from the national infrastructure planning process, although it says there remains a long-term need for the development and is updating its Port Masterplan.

ABP backed the A326 improvements during the consultation, saying they would improve connectivity and support future growth opportunities.

Another supporter was ExxonMobil who said it had “no objection in principle” to the road scheme but raised concerns about maintaining access to its Fawley oil refinery operations during construction.

The consultation closed on July 31. The application is due to be determined by the county council's regulatory committee, but no date has been set.