Local MP Maria Miller is due to make a formal presentation in Parliament on Tuesday 24 April of the petition against two new motorway service areas at Basingstoke.
Maria said: “This petition, which has received more than 3,000 signatures, demonstrates the very significant level of concern among local residents about the two separate proposals for new motorway services.”
“I will be formally presenting the petition to Parliament on Tuesday, and will take the opportunity to speak in the House of Commons about this important campaign against the proposed motorway service areas. Residents have told me of their serious concerns that new facilities would be a risk to road safety and cause congestion, as well as being incredibly damaging to our environment.”
“Furthermore, they are simply not needed, given that the existing services at Fleet and Winchester are only 23 miles apart.”
Cllr Onnalee Cubitt, who represents the Basing Ward, said: “Basingstoke residents have signed this petition to show very clearly that they don’t want these 24/7 blots on the local landscape, with the pollution, traffic and noise they will bring. Local residents say No to Moto.”
The proposal for the service area at Hatch Warren would potentially see a flyover built across the motorway, very close to residential properties, and which would threaten the Brighton Hill playing fields. These services would also mean a further motorway junction – with three junctions within the space of three miles, which includes Junctions 7 and 8.
Mike Henry, who in the past has been a consultant to the Highways Agency (now Highways England) on MSA related matters along the M3 said: “I cannot speak for current Highways England views. However it has long been recognised that there are seasonal capacity and safety challenges in the weaving distance between Junction 7 and 8 of the M3. Indeed Highways England has acknowledged this as recently as March 2017 in its M25 to Solent Route Strategy”.
Cllr Terri Reid, who represents Hatch Warren and Beggarwood said: “The response to the petition from local residents has been phenomenal, and underlines the strength of feeling against the proposal. Local people are deeply concerned about this intrusive development, so close to homes and local estate roads. The strong message is, this is a step too far, Hatch warren and Beggarwood residents have had enough and we will fight this proposal all the way.”