Junction Road Totton plan axed by Hampshire County Council

Hampshire County Council has scrapped its proposal to create a new bus-only route by removing the paving that separates Commercial Road and the northern end of Junction Road.

Totton county councillor David Harrison said the authority aimed to spend the cash on extra improvements to the A326 instead.

He and fellow objectors had been planning to stage a protest at the junction on Saturday but this has now been scrapped.

Hampshire County Council has scrapped a £1.5m proposal to reopen a junction in Totton town centre (Image: Newsq)

Announcing the county council's U-turn on social media, Cllr Harrison said: "They told me they have decided not to progress the £1.5m scheme. They recognise the strength of local opposition.

"They now think the money could be spent on other aspects of the scheme along the A326 corridor, using the latest technology to speed up bus services."

READ MORE: Petition launched against 'crazy' plan to reopen northern end of Junction Road in Totton

Cllr Harrison had spent months fighting plans to reopen the junction, which has been closed for many years.

He feared the government-funded scheme could cause road safety issues and also claimed the work involved would leave Totton "crippled" by roadworks for months.

The county council's decision follows a long campaign by Cllr David Harrison (Image: Supplied)

As reported in the Daily Echo, he raised a petition signed by more than 1,300 people.

"I was told time and time again that this scheme would be pushed through despite my opposition and that of so many other people," he said.

"Is is fair to say in this case Hampshire County Council listened and acted.

"I am very grateful to everyone who contributed towards this very good result. Thank you to everyone who signed the petition I put together.

"Thank you to fellow councillors at town, district and county level. Thank you to everyone who offered to attend the protest rally. Thanks also for the supportive comments and local media for reflecting this."

READ MORE: Protest planned over plan to create new bus-only route by reopening long-closed junction

People have taken to social media to celebrate the outcome of the campaign, having previously described the plan as "crazy" and a waste of money.

One person said: "They actually listed to locals for a change." Another added: "Common sense has prevailed."

Meanwhile, a scheme that aims to improve bus journey times between Southampton and the New Forest by upgrading the A326 has been completed.

The scheme includes a new bus lane where the Marchwood Bypass joins the A326 at Bulls Copse.

The lane enables northbound buses to veer diagonally across the A326 and head up the bypass towards Totton.

New traffic lights halt vehicles using the southbound carriageway of the A326, allowing the buses to cut across their path.