HAMPSHIRE County Council has announced that it is ready to demonstrate its support for the future of Whitehill and Bordon, and the success of the area’s regeneration, by allocating funding and making financial commitments to the construction of the inner relief road and a new secondary-school building.

Roy Perry, leader of Hampshire County Council, said: “Our readiness and ability to underwrite the relief road demonstrates the county council’s commitment, capacity and expertise in helping to deliver significant projects of this scale which will benefit Hampshire’s residents in the East Hampshire district.”

The county council has offered to underwrite the costs of the second phase of the Whitehill and Bordon relief road - a bypass to take traffic off the A325 which runs through the town centre - allowing work to begin on letting the contract for this important road.

While the main element of funding for this scheme is from the Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership’s Growth Fund, the construction of the second phase of works, covering 3.1kilometres (two miles) of new road, will take more than one year to complete, and Government funding is allocated in such a way that the Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is not in a position itself to commit to the second year of the funding being available.

But the county council said that, fortunately, it was able to look further ahead than a one-year time span and was willing to support the LEP and East Hampshire if that support is needed, as, the council said, “it seems it is”.

Mr Perry added: “This new road is critical to the successful regeneration of Whitehill and Bordon, and without the county council’s help, it seems there would be no way to sensibly or cost effectively let a single contract to build the whole road.

“As well as the road, we have committed money to reprovision the secondary school (Mill Chase Academy) serving Whitehill and Bordon.

“The county council has an excellent track record in education, and we know how important a good school is to any community. We are prepared to put county taxpayers’ money where we believe it will have the most positive impact on the people who really matter - Hampshire residents, now and in the future.

“This is another example where Hampshire County Council is quietly getting on with serving the community, and making things happen for the good of everyone in Hampshire.

“It demonstrates our commitment to the future of this community, and how effective local government can deliver major capital investment without the imposition of additional layers of government.

“Investing in this largely rural part of East Hampshire perfectly illustrates why I believe it would be a mistake to arbitrarily split up the Hampshire area.”

Meanwhile, Sean Woodward, who as Hampshire County Council’s executive member for economy, transport and the environment was overseeing the relief-road plan, has quit his role due to the negotiations on devolution. Mr Woodward has offered to step down from the role, saying he wanted to avoid any danger of a conflict of interest as talks over a combined authority in Hampshire reach a decisive stage. Mr Perry has accepted his offer.

Mr Woodward remains the leader of Fareham Borough Council.

The issue that prompted Mr Woodward’s decision surrounded him making decisions which relate specifically to south Hampshire while also being the leader in Fareham, because the council has given, in principle, support to negotiating on a devolution deal specifically for south Hampshire.

Negotiations over a Hampshire-wide deal to transfer power down, devolving it from Government to local level, were launched two years ago.

But the Government has opted for the Solent area instead after resistance to plans for a mayor from some council leaders.

The area would cover Southampton and Portsmouth city councils, Eastleigh, Gosport, Fareham and Havant borough councils, East Hampshire District Council and the Isle of Wight Council, leaving the county council, New Forest District, Test Valley Borough and Winchester City outside of the deal.

The relief road starts at the Whitehill crossroads in the south and travels north, along the abandoned railway line, before routing through Louisburg Barracks and reconnecting with the A325. Phase one of the works is under way.