A CONTROVERSIAL plan that could have seen heavy goods vehicles turning down narrow residential streets in Rooksdown has been scrapped.

Initial plans as part of the Manydown housing development would have seen vehicles banned from turning right into Rooksdown Lane from the Newbury-bound A339.

Data analysis by the developers found that there would be an increased safety risk at the junction as a result of the increased traffic flowing on the A339.

This could have resulted in vehicles trying to access Weybrook Golf Club diverted through residential streets such as Gillies Drive, with many locals complaining about the plan.

However, in updated proposals that were submitted last month, developers have scrapped proposals that would have seen this right turn prohibition.

Speaking to the Gazette, Councillor Simon Bound, ward member on Basingstoke Council for Rooksdown, said he was pleased that the developers had listened to residents.

“I think it’s good news. Everybody thought that the proposals were completely unworkable, there wasn’t an alternative given to residents and now we seem to have a sensible way forward.

“From speaking to residents and the parish council, I believe the concerns have now been resolved. It’s a positive start to the new year.”

Right turns would instead be prohibited from the Basingstoke-bound lane into Ibworth Lane, which eased the concerns after three crashes in five years at the junction because of its design.

Cllr Paul Mahoney, Chairman of Rooksdown Parish Council, who held a meeting with the project team to discuss their concerns, said: "We are very grateful to all of those who contacted the Basingstoke planners about the planned no right turn into Rooksdown Lane.

"Of the 215 people who responded to the consultation, 192 were from Rooksdown.

"This has resulted in changes to the junction design to allow traffic to turn right into Rooksdown Lane - just as we all wanted.

"It proves that sustained, sensible pressure from the public can cause changes to happen."

The updated plan says: “Therefore, traffic accessing Rooksdown Lane would not need to route through the local residential roads to the north of the A339, which has been raised as a significant concern by the local Parish Council and local residents.”

Many junctions will be improved as part of the project, including the A339/A340 Trumpet roundabout.