Marchwood Bypass works to see eight-mile diversion

Works are scheduled to start tonight to install a bus lane, better walking and cycling facilities and safety improvements on the Rushington roundabout.

It will see the A326 Marchwood Bypass closed overnight on weekdays until July 12.

The works form part of Hampshire County Council’s Rushington Roundabout Bus Priority Improvements, funded through the Transforming Cities Fund.

The closures to the Marchwood Bypass will take place overnight between the hours of 7pm to 6am from today, June 24 to Friday, July 12.

It may come as a surprise to some residents that the diversion route that has been put in place comes to a distance on 8.75 miles.

The diversion route is more than eight miles long (Image: Hampshire County Council) The length of the closure on the A326 Marchwood Bypass is just 0.88 miles long, so Totton drivers travelling while the work is in place will need to anticipate the extra eight miles journey time.

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Warning residents about the upcoming closure on Facebook, a spokesperson for Hampshire County Council said: “As work continues to install a bus lane, better walking and cycling facilities and safety improvements in Totton, night-time work will take place to resurface the A326 from Rushington Roundabout up to Jacob's Gutter Lane.

“The road will be closed from the entrance and exit from Rushington Roundabout onto Marchwood Bypass, and up to the junction with Jacob’s Gutter Lane.

“This section will be closed from 7pm to 6am, except on July 4 where the road will be closed from 10.30pm, with the road reopening each morning.

“There will be no overnight working at weekends.

“A signed diversion will be in place, while emergency vehicle access will be maintained at all times.

“Staplewood Lane is not part of the diversion route and drivers will not be signposted to use this road.”