Pulse.Assent

Residents, businesses and road users in and around Winchester are being encouraged to ensure their voice is heard as a public consultation on improvements to junction 9 on the M3 enters its final week.

The six week public consultation, which began on 9 January 2018 runs until 19 February, is seeking views on plans for a major upgrade to junction 9 of the M3, where the motorway meets the A34.

Under the plans, junction 9 will be redesigned to create dedicated free flow lanes which will allow drivers travelling between the M3 and the A34 to avoid using the junction roundabout. The roundabout itself will be redesigned into a new ‘dumbbell’ layout, which will increase capacity, improve safety and make journey times more reliable.

Highways England project manager Simon Hewett said:

I would like to thank everyone who has been to see the team at an exhibition or have submitted their feedback through the website. These are ambitious plans which will make a huge difference to people using this busy interchange and there is still time for those who haven’t yet had their say on the proposals to do so before the consultation ends on Monday 19 February.

There are still two exhibitions to go, both in Kings Worthy, so it would be great for people who have not yet had their say to come and see the team to talk about the plans.

The proposed free-flow interchange will help to reduce congestion by removing the need for through traffic to use the roundabout, in turn improving safety. The proposals include:

• introducing free-flow slip roads, both northbound and southbound between the M3 and A34, so traffic intending to use the interchange will not need to enter the roundabout at the junction
• reconfiguring the roundabout to a new ‘dumbbell’ road layout increasing capacity and reducing congestion
• upgrading the cycle routes to complete the gap in route 23 of the National Cycle Network
• upgrades to footpaths and improved bridleway access for horse riders

Highways England has so far held three information exhibitions at venues in the area so that people could see the proposals and put any questions directly to the project team. There are two more events to go on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 February at the Tubbs Hall and Kings Worthy Community Centre, and there is still time for people to collect consultation material at various locations in and around Winchester, and also have their say via the website.

For more information on details of the proposals, public information events and how to have your say, go to the scheme website.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.

In a joint operation by the Environment Agency, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and Government Agency Intelligence Network (GAIN), a 29-year-old man and a 46-year-old man were arrested for questioning in relation to waste crime, fraud and money laundering offences across the country.

The pair are believed to be involved in organised crime across the country, including in Lancashire, Middlesborough, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Kent.

Organised crime

Both men were arrested at their homes in Chelsea and Hampstead Heath. The properties were also searched as part of the investigation.

Environment Agency team leader Mark Rumble said:

These arrests are part of extremely serious organised crime activity, which involves the dumping of illegal waste, fraud and money laundering across the country. We are working closely with partners to share intelligence on illegal waste activity to ensure the culprits are brought to justice.

We need everyone to play their part in the fight against waste crime – an issue that blights communities and drains valuable resources. Property and landowners are encouraged to be vigilant and report suspicious illegal activity to the Environment Agency.

Multiple agencies involved

The London GAIN co-ordinator said:

Working in partnership, sharing intelligence lawfully and efficiently, the GAIN aims to ensure that government agencies along with law enforcement will help reduce serious and organised crime, in the most cost effective way. This action is an excellent example of adopting a multi-agency approach.

Detective inspector Tim Court, Metropolitan Police Organised Crime Command, said:

Organised crime has many forms but always exploits and undermines individuals, businesses and society for financial gain. It is critical that different parts of the government work together to tackle organised crime, holding offenders to account and removing the financial incentive for their offending. Today’s activity has proven that the MPS and organised crime advisors will take action against those involved in any organised criminal activity in order to protect London.

Advice to land and property owners

• Check any empty land and property regularly, and make sure it is secure.
• Carry out rigorous checks on prospective and new tenants. Land and property owners have a responsibility to ensure anyone leasing their land/property complies with regulations. They may be committing an offence by allowing waste to be stored on land or property without the relevant permissions, leaving them liable to prosecution.
• Be vigilant and report any unusual behaviour.