M27 roadworks explanation demanded by Test Valley Borough Council

Last year, National Highways began work between junctions 5 and 7 to lay 180mm of low-noise surface asphalt as part of a Government scheme to replace almost half of the concrete motorway or major A-road roads across England. National Highways is also working with Hampshire County Council to develop junction 10 so it has links in all directions between the M27 and A32. Cllr Nik Daas put forward a motion for Test Valley Borough Council to write to the CEO of National Highways, to "confirm a date [by] which all current ongoing road works on the M27 will be completed."

It passed unanimously and enthusiastically. Cllr Karen Dunleavy, who seconded the motion, said: "It's absolutely ridiculous. There was the 'smart motorway' update, which went on for years and years ."

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Cllr Nik Daas said: "Residents are frustrated at the delays in completion of the road works on the M27 over multiple years." "I hate to say this but the other day, I was going to Marks and Spencer [...] I was in the wrong lane and ended up in Portsmouth, because you can't turn off." Cllr Chris Donnelly, who spoke in favour of the motion, said it was the roadworks on the M27 which made him late for the meeting on Wednesday, April 24. Cllr Terese Swain said she allows up to an hour extra when planning her journeys.

Cllr Phillip Lashbrook said: "I wholeheartedly support this motion. For many years, I have suffered from the roadworks on the M27 and the M3. "The M3 never seems to end, particularly for long reaches, which have been going on and on for centuries.

"But the M27, I think, is a joke. I know that they are trying to replace parts of the concrete slabs, but, as many of you who travel on the M27 will know, it's torture." Cllr Luigi Gregori said: "I do think we should hold them to account [...] I don't know what they are doing."

In the motion presented to the council, Cllr Daas wrote that the letter should "convey the following: "Residents are frustrated at the delays in completion of the road works on the M27 over multiple years; "Residents do not believe the tax they are paying is resulting in adequate delivery quality or delivery times;

"[and] residents are feeling the financial impact on their lives from the road work delays and also see it as a blocker to economic growth for Hampshire."

References

^ Airport to benefit from new routes and new lounge after investment (www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk)
^ Worth it?

Test Valley councillors vote themselves 12 per cent pay rise (www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk)