A NEW £20m transport link between two Hampshire towns will take a major step forward this week.

The proposed bus rapid transit scheme linking Fareham and Gosport via a disused railway line is coming before Hampshire County Council for approval on Thursday.

The scheme is designed to reduce congestion on the busy A32.

It will see the old railway from Redlands Lane in Fareham to Titchborne Way in Gosport turned into a high-speed link with regular bus stops along the way.

Transport chiefs have applied for a £20m government grant to pay for the project. Work will not start until the cash has been received.

Work is expected to start on creating the bus rapid transit in July, subject to the government funding being achieved.

Hampshire County Council’s executive member for policy and resources, Councillor Ken Thornber, is expected to approve the scheme on Thursday.

Cllr Thornber is also expected to give the go-ahead for negotiations to acquire the land needed for the scheme, and to agree to a planning application being submitted for the project in March.