Press release: Just a few days left to have your say on Southampton improvements

Residents and businesses in Southampton are being encouraged to ensure their voice is heard as a public consultation on improvements to the eastern approach to the city enters its final few days.

The six week public consultation, which began on 19 September 2017 runs until 31 October, is seeking views on plans for a major upgrade to junction 8 of the M27 and the A3024 to Southampton city centre.

The plans will increase capacity at junction 8 of the M27 and Windhover roundabout, as well as upgrade 25 junctions along the A3024. Improved safety, upgrades to two railway bridges and better facilities for pedestrians and cyclists are also part of the proposals.

Highways England Project Manager Adriana Chirovici 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 and there is still time for people who haven’t yet had their say on the proposals to do so before the consultation ends on Tuesday 31 October.

The plans include:

• M27 junction 8 and Windhover roundabout: All approaches to the junctions will be widened, with improved facilities for pedestrians and cyclists
• A3024 corridor: Improvements at all 25 junctions along this four and a half mile stretch, including to the cycling and walking facilities along the corridor and for crossings and junction widening at key junctions. This will also help buses run more reliably
• Northam Road rail bridge: Replacement of this single carriageway bridge that crosses the main South Western railway lines near to St Marys Stadium. The new bridge will include two lanes in each direction with improvements to pedestrian and cycle facilities
• Bitterne rail bridge: This bridge, a wide single carriageway bridge on the A3024 Bitterne Road West at Bitterne train station will be upgraded to include new separated adjacent pedestrian and cycle facilities with wider footpaths

Highways England held eight information exhibitions at venues across Southampton so that people could see the proposals and put any questions directly to the project team. While the events have now finished, there is still time for people to collect consultation material at various locations in and around Southampton, and also have their say via the website.

Details on the proposals and feedback forms will be available online until 11:45pm on 31 October 2017. For more information, 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.