RESIDENTS have been told that traffic will flow “as smoothly as possible” as work on the town’s relief road gains gathers pace.

At a consultation last Tuesday at the Phoenix Theatre, residents were able to meet representatives from Hampshire County Council and contractors Raymond Brown Construction

Work on the relief road began in September – the first phase is the kilometre-long northern section, which will pass through Louisburg Barracks.

Two roundabouts will be created within the site to provide access to 500 new homes. A further roundabout will enable access to the A325.

Hampshire County Council expects this first phase – which is being funded by the Homes and Communities Agency – to be complete by next autumn.

While disruption has so far been relatively minor the programme of work ramps up a gear in the new year.

Until Christmas development will be confined to the barracks, but from January to May four-way traffic signals will be introduced on the A325/B3002 while a new drainage system for the relief road is installed.

These arrangements will ensure traffic “continues to flow as smoothly as possible” during this time and that “the safety of the workforce and the travelling public is not compromised” residents have heard.

Then, between April and the autumn, construction of a junction with the A325 will take place, with works to the highway embankment and the removal of material completed “as quickly as possible”.

Raymond Brown Construction Ltd said in its newsletter it would make every effort to minimise “negative impacts” and keep traffic moving “as near to normal as possible”.

“We are committed to ensuring that our presence and the works we are doing on behalf of Hampshire County Council have minimal impact on the community,” they said.

“Next year, when work will be taking place in closer proximity to residential properties, vibration and noise levels will be monitored to ensure they remain within acceptable limits. Dust will be damped down and the highway kept clean.

“We have registered this contract with the Considerate Constructors Scheme, which plays an important part in how we manage our relationships with communities. The scheme provides independent assurance that our site team is being considerate to project stakeholders and that potential nuisances are being managed.”

The relief road is said to be a crucial piece of infrastructure for Whitehill and Bordon’s regeneration, not least to provide access to new homes at Louisburg.

It will be delivered in tandem with a wide range of traffic calming measures to the A325 – such as surface alterations and cycle paths.

A significant proportion of vehicles on the A325 is through-traffic so an alternative route is requiried. Taking traffic off the A325 will, it is hoped, create a “shared space” and make life easier for other road users and pedestrians. In turn this will reduce the east/west severance in Whitehill and Bordon and pave the way for a “thriving”, new town centre at Prince Philip Barracks.

Sean Woodward, executive member for economy, transport and environment at Hampshire County Council, said: “The public exhibition on the Whitehill and Bordon relief road was well attended.

“I would like to thank all the residents who took the time to share their views with Hampshire County Council and contractors Raymond Brown.