A326: Public consultation on road widening and other plans

Hampshire County Council has drawn up proposals to widen the Totton stretch of the A326 between its junctions Michigan Way and Cocklydown Lane.

If the scheme goes ahead the A326 will be dual carriageway all the way from Hounsdown Business Park to the M27.

The county council is also planning to build an extra southbound lane between the business park and a point just south of Staplewood Lane, Marchwood.

The junction of Twiggs Lane and the A326 will be realigned, creating a public open space in front of Marchwood Infant School (Image: Newsquest.)

The nearby Twiggs Lane junction will be realigned, creating an area of public open space in front of Marchwood Infant School.

READ MORE: Parts of the A326 could be widened to cut delays

Proposed new housing and commercial developments mean traffic levels in the area are set to rise sharply. The planned improvements aim to ensure the A326 can cope with the increase.

Now the county council has launched a public consultation.

People can complete an online survey or attend face-to-face sessions at which they can speak to county council officers and ask questions about the scheme.

Hampshire County Council will bid for government funding for proposed improvements to the A326 between Totton and Marchwood (Image: Newsquest)

Council leader Rob Humby said: "It is very important for us to gather the views of local residents and those who work in the area or use the A326 for their business or leisure journeys.

"We would encourage as many people as possible to take part.

"All the feedback collected will help inform the continued design of the scheme and the preparation of a business case which is needed to enable us to bid for government funding."

READ MORE: Plans to widen parts of the A326 could be scrapped, councillor warns

But Totton and Marchwood county councillor David Harrison has made another outspoken attack on the proposals.

Posting online, he described the planned road widening as a waste of money.

"It will do very little to reduce journey times. You've either got to have a dual carriageway all the way down towards Fawley, or just accept there will always be a level of traffic congestion that can best be mitigated by better use of public transport."

Cllr Harrison complained that dualling more of the A326 would encroach on the New Forest National Park.

"National parks are afforded the highest level of protection. I don't think my fellow board members will be impressed by the idea that this is just shaving off a relatively small amount of national park land."

One of the public consultation events is taking place at Marchwood Village Hall on Thursday, June 15