M3 Junction 9 scheme ‘absolutely critical’
Heidi Alexander visited the work compound for the scheme near Winchester[1] on Thursday, March 13, touring the site. The scheme, which has had GBP290m of funding confirmed from the government, aims to tackle congestion at Junction 9 by increasing the number of lanes from three to four through the junction, as it passes under a wider gyratory, with free-flowing links between the M3 and the A34 in both directions. 
When asked about criticism that the scheme will attract more traffic, similar to the previous M3 extension through Twyford Down in the 1990s, Ms Alexander said: "I know that areas of Winchester are expanding; when I got out at the train station this morning and visited the Insta Volt super hub (at Three Maids Hill), I could see the number of new homes that were being built.
"People want to live in this part of the country, so it is really important that we match the development that is happening with new infrastructure. I know people who live in Winchester who are coming home, perhaps after a day at work or a visit with friends, could spend up to 20 minutes trying to traverse this junction. "And so, tackling that congestion is really important for the quality of life for local people, but it is also about supporting the economy, because if we are building those new homes then we need the capacity to deal with the cars.
"But it is also a critical part of ensuring our economy is firing on all cylinders because we have the docks down in Southampton. If there are lorries picking things up from the docks, dropping stuff off there, businesses want to know that their deliveries are going to be timely, and that is why this interchange is so significant and so important." National Highways chief executive Nick Harris was also visiting the development site.
When asked about what mitigation measures will be taken to ease congestion when the work starts, he said: "Part of the reason it is taking three years is to keep both those important routes (the M3 and A34) open and running during the work. "So, an awful lot of planning goes into a project like this. We built a digital model so that we're able to not only understand the construction but also understand the impact on the existing routes and come up with traffic management which keeps those routes open.
"So, we've got a good level of confidence we can do that whilst getting the job done." 
National Highways will be holding a public information event in the Tesco Car Park in Winnall on Saturday, March 15 and Monday, March 17 between 10am and 3pm.
The event aims to provide more information about the scheme and answer any questions members of the public have.
More information about the scheme can be found by visiting nationalhighways.co.uk/m3junction9.
References
- ^ Winchester (www.dailyecho.co.uk)
- ^ Junction 9 plan: Government approve funding for improvement at Winnall (www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk)
- ^ Controversial plans to construct house in St Cross garden approved (www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk)