Esso has released an initial working route for its replacement Southampton to London aviation fuel pipeline, showing its path through Alton, Crondall and Church Crookham.

The fuel giant announced ‘Option J’ as the preferred corridor for its Southampton to London Pipeline Project in June, avoiding controversial routes through Farnham and Alice Holt Forest.

Its initial working route broadly sticks to the pipeline’s existing route, but diverges slightly as its passes from south-west to north-east through Crondall, notably avoiding Combe Wood in Ewshot.

Esso’s project executive for the Southampton to London Pipeline Project, Tim Sunderland, said: “Now we have released an initial working route we will continue to engage with key stakeholders to refine the route before autumn 2018 to create a preferred route.

“In autumn 2018, we will publish and consult on the preferred route. This will provide an opportunity for anyone who wishes to take part to comment on the preferred route for the project.”

An interactive map showing the initial working route in detail can be viewed online at www.slpproject.co.uk.