FUNDING has been secured to start a major road improvements scheme in Brighton Hill.

The £20 million scheme will increase capacity on the Brighton Hill Roundabout as well as reduce congestion at peak times.

Hampshire County Council has secured the remaining £13 million needed for the scheme from the EM3 Local Enterprise Partnership.

The improvements at Brighton Hill Roundabout have been proposed and designed by Hampshire County Council, jointly funded with the Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership. Construction work is scheduled to begin in 2020/21.

Brighton Hill South ward councillor, Cllr Andrew McCormick, welcomed the news of the funding.

He said: “It is great that the funds have finally been secured and work on this much needed scheme can get underway.

“This cannot come soon enough as we need to put a focus on improving our transport infrastructure.”

Cllr McCormick added: “After extensive consultation the scheme has been well received by people in Brighton Hill.”

The Brighton Hill scheme is part of multi-million pound package of transport improvements in the Basingstoke area, which includes improvements on the A340 at the Thornycroft Roundabout / Aldermaston Road and the A33 at Popley Way, Crockford Roundabout, Ringway Junction, Binfields Roundabout and Taylors Farm Roundabout.

Executive member for economy, environment and transport at the county council, Cllr Rob Humby said: “All funding is now in place to allow us to press on and get these road improvements underway for the people of Basingstoke.

"This means we can help get the highway network ready ahead of the growth we expect to see as Basing View becomes a successful Enterprise Zone over the coming years, increasing Basingstoke’s economic prospects for the future, while reducing congestion and protecting the quality of life for those who live here now.

“The improvements to Brighton Hill Roundabout will help ease congestion at busy times of day, improve safety and provide people with more opportunities to walk and cycle.

"Good infrastructure is vital to Hampshire’s continued economic prosperity, and these improvements on the A30 have been designed to make day to day travel easier for local residents and commuters.”