Today, the first phase of the relief road was completed and the Broxhead Farm Road diversion, which has seen rush-hour traffic jams, will be removed as the new roundabout at the northern end comes into use.
The bad news is that phase two started on Friday, when construction firm Carillion, based in Wolverhampton, set up on site. Main construction work is expected to start in November which will mean “occasional” road closures and diversions.
On Thursday, residents and businesses were invited to meet representatives from Hampshire County Council and Carillion at Whitehill Village Hall to find out more about the 2.6-mile road scheme, including how traffic will be managed during construction.
Although phase one, near Louisburg Barracks in the north of the town, is now completed, temporary traffic lights will remain at the Broxhead Farm Road junction for two weeks, which will be manned during peak times to aid traffic flow, as the junction is reinstated.
The first phase of the bypass is part of the Homes and Communities Agency’s delivery of Louisburg Barracks, where 500 new homes, a skills centre, a Business and Enterprise Centre and places for employment will be built.
Hampshire County Council’s executive member for environment and transport Rob Humby said: “The completion of phase one marks an exciting and important milestone for the relief road, which is critical to relieving congestion on the A325.”
The first section, costing £6.8million, has been completed by the county council’s contractor Raymond Brown Construction, based in Ringwood, as scheduled.
The Broxhead Farm Road diversion will be removed and the new roundabout, at the northern end of the relief road, opened up for through traffic on the A325.
Mr Humby continued: “The county council is committed to supporting the successful regeneration of Whitehill and Bordon and we are working with partners to deliver this project along with the Future Skills Centre and a new campus for Mill Chase Academy.
“Hampshire County Council has been drawing on its scale, capacity, experience and expertise to help Whitehill and Bordon become a vibrant and exciting place to live, following the departure of the military.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the residents who live along the diversion route, and to those who travel through this area on a daily basis, for their patience while this vital work was carried out.”
Phase one was delivered by the county council on behalf of the Homes and Communities Agency.
Kevin Bourner, from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), said: “As owner of the site, the HCA has invested £6.8m into this relief road to kick start the regeneration of Whitehill and Bordon. By funding and commissioning the road direct, the HCA has unlocked housing delivery and the employment land at Louisburg Barracks.
“This represents a major milestone in the delivery of the new homes, jobs and skills that Whitehill and Bordon needs.”
Phase one of the relief road comprises 0.6 miles of road through the Louisburg Barracks site that connects with the A325 in the north.
There are three new roundabouts along the relief road - two in the barracks to provide access to the developments to the north and south of the road, and the third connecting the new road with the existing A325.
Construction of phase two will see the biggest section of the relief road being built and will be two miles in length. The full cost of this second phase will be £20m.
Mr Humby continued: “It’s thanks to the county council’s skills, capacity and expertise that we are able to deliver a project on this scale which will benefit people living and working in the area for generations to come. Hampshire County Council is committed to supporting the successful regeneration of Whitehill and Bordon and the relief road plays a major part in this.
“We are working closely with all our partners to make sure this project runs as smoothly as the first phase did.
“I’m pleased to to hear that Selborne Parish Council has invited Hampshire County Council and Carrilion to host an exhibition in Oakhanger at the end of October.”
Most of the construction work now is not expected to affect residents or commuters as it is on Ministry of Defence land to the west of Whitehill and Bordon.
But there will be occasions when diversions and road closures will be put in place for the safety of road users and workers.
“We are in discussion with Carillion to ensure that disruption to residents and businesses in the surrounding areas are minimised and that work can be carried out more quickly,” Mr Humby said.
The southern section of the road will pass between the garrison redevelopment area at Prince Philip Barracks and the Hogmoor Inclosure Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace and will include a double-roundabout junction at the southern tie in with the A325.
In addition, two traffic-light-controlled junctions, one to access the new Prince Philip Barracks housing development and the second at the intersection with Oakhanger Road will be provided. The work is due to be completed in the summer of 2018.
Phase two of the relief road is being constructed and managed by Hampshire County Council, utilising £15.5m of Local Growth Fund from the Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership with a £5m contribution from the county council.
Geoff French, chairman of Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “I am delighted that work on the next phase of the relief road is now starting.
“This project provides the critical infrastructure required to unlock the development sites and support wider regeneration by reducing the community severance currently created by the A325.
“It is a key component in the transformation of the area into a more attractive investment proposition for businesses, supported by a more reliable local transport network. Our investment will help bring forward the delivery of 3,350 new homes and approximately 63,000 metres square of new employment, commercial and community floor space, and will create up to 5,500 jobs as part of the redevelopment of Whitehill and Bordon into a thriving new green town.”
Once completed, the new £27m relief road will provide a free-flowing alternative to the A325 and provide access to the new housing development.
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