A STRETCH of the A339 (Whitedown Lane) in Alton will be closed to through traffic for around six months to allow the demolition and replacement of the historic Butts Bridge.

The closure will stretch from the junction with Butts Road, Selborne Road and Winchester Road, to the entrance to the French Horn public house, and will include both roundabouts.

With the closure in place, the end of Winchester Road will be sealed off and access to Winchester Road will be via the new link road (to be named Winchester Road) off the Selborne Road.

Traffic will be permitted through and around the works in both directions, from Butts Road to the Selborne Road (A339/B3006) and A31 and vice-versa.

Because of the break in the A339 link across the top of The Butts, following lengthy discussion – in the interests of safety and to minimise disruption to the wider highways network – the closure will be accompanied by the introduction of diversionary routes for those wishing to cross the town at this point, and to use the A339 Basingstoke road and the B3349 to Odiham and the M3.

The official diversions are:

Northbound diversion route

* Traffic wanting to travel from Butts Road to link up with the A339 and B3349 will directed up Ackender Road which will be one-way only northbound from the bend in the road (just beyond Phillips Garage) to the junction with Lenten Street. There will be a ‘no right turn’ from Basingstoke Road, ‘no left turn’ from Lenten Street, ‘no entry’ into Ackender Road from the northern end, ‘no right turn’ into Ackender Road from Queens Road, and ‘no left turn’ into Ackender Road from Langham Road.

n It should be noted that, if it is deemed necessary by the local highways authority on the grounds of safety or because of implications beyond on the wider network, the one-way restriction described may need to be altered during the work, either to extend to the full length of Ackender Road, any part of Ackender Road, or to be removed entirely.

* Parking will be prohibited on the western side (northbound carriageway) of Ackender Road to accompany the one-way section – considered necessary to ease congestion, as agreed on site with the local traffic officer/highways engineer.

* The option to implement ‘no parking’ for the entire length of Ackender Road on either or both sides of the carriageway is reserved, as may be required for safety reasons under the instruction of the local traffic officer/ highways engineer.

* The ‘no vehicular access’/’access to residents only’ signage at the ends of Ackender Road will be temporarily removed.

* HGVs will be temporarily prohibited except those requiring access.

* Access only, no through route, not suitable for diverted traffi* signage will be put in place at the ends of Highridge, Whitedown Lane, Westbrooke Road and Queens Road.

Southbound diversion route

* Traffic from the A339 and B3349 direction wanting to access the A31/32 will be directed from Whitedown Lane along Chawton Park Road to the Chawton roundabout.

* Chawton Park Road will see the introduction of one-way working, south west bound only, from the entrance to Alton Sports Centre car park to the junction with Northfield Lane. A ‘no entry’ sign will be placed at the junction with Northfield Lane.

* There will be ‘no left turn’ from the western arm of Chawton Park Road at the junction with Northfield Lane.

* Two-way, temporary traffic lights will be in place on Northfield Lane to provide access for the residents of Northfield Lane and residents and business of Chawton Park Farm. Appropriate signage will be sited at the southern end of Northfield Lane at the junction with the A31 to reflect this restriction.

* There will be ‘no parking’ along Northfield Lane and the one way section of Chawton Park Road for the duration of the works.

HGV route

* Local routes are not suitable for HGVs and are not to be used by through traffic.

* The diversion route for HGVs has been revised and updated by Hampshire County Council to match existing ‘black’ route signage on the A31, to follow the A31, A331 and M3.

* Access will be provided to Alton town centre for HGV deliveries only.