A SCHEME widening a major route is "on track for the end of November", highway bosses claim.

Teams from National Highways are preparing to put the finishing touches on the A31 Ringwood widening scheme in Hampshire.

Last weekend, the company successfully completed the final carriageway switchover – removing the contraflow system – which saw westbound traffic travel over the new bridges for the first time.

The A31 provides the main route from Hampshire to Dorset, through the New Forest, and suffers heavy congestion at Ringwood junction during peak times.

The scheme aims to improve the road by widening it to three lanes in the westbound direction.

It is hoped it will reduce congestion, increase capacity for local traffic and improve safety.

The outside lane westbound and the two outside lanes of the eastbound carriageway will remain closed to complete work in the central reserve including drainage work, road surfacing, and installing new safety barriers.

Dan Kittredge, project manager for the A31 Ringwood, said: “I am pleased to confirm that the scheme is on track to be completed by 30 November as planned.

"We would like to thank the people of Ringwood and the surrounding area for their patience whilst we have delivered this challenging scheme.

“The A31 is one of the region's most important roads connecting Surrey, Hampshire and Dorset, a vital route every day for work journeys and home deliveries, visits to friends and family, and the movement of goods and services.

"The improved route at A31 Ringwood will be more reliable, reducing journey times and providing capacity for future traffic growth.”

The A31 at Ringwood was identified as an area needing investment, and forms part of the Government’s £15.2bn Road Investment Strategy to be delivered between 2020 – 2025.

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.

Don't just take my word for it - subscribe today.

Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by searching Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents on Facebook

Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated group by searching Hampshire Court and Crime News on Facebook