Major revamp of M27 due to 6,000 new homes plans dealt a fresh blow

The centre of Welborne, according to an artists’ impression.

A huge revamp of an M27 junction to serve a new town with 6,000 homes has been dealt a fresh blow.

A recent report revealed that Hampshire County Council was ringing alarm bells over the project, saying it was “extremely unlikely” to meet the cost of the new junction 10 for Welborne Garden Village unless further support was given from stakeholders.

Now, county chiefs have confirmed that no further funding is expected from National Highways or the Department of Transport to “help” the council bridge the financial gap.

Their reasoning was that it “does not provide any benefit” for the M27.

Welborne is set to be built on fields north of the M27, between Fareham and Wickham and will is set to include 6,000 new homes, schools, shops, green spaces, businesses and healthcare facilities.

Junction 10 on the M27 would be extended to an ‘all ways’ junction because the current layout only allows drivers to join the M27 eastbound – towards Portsmouth – and leave it westbound.

However, the report indicated that Hampshire County Council, which would carry out the upgrades, won’t have enough funding to go ahead with the project.

During the county council cabinet meeting on Tuesday (December 12), Tim Morton, assistant director of highways and transport, said they had had conversations with both National Highways and the Department for Transport.

He added: “They both indicated that they are not willing to further support the project financially, other than the emergency refuge area that National Highways will fund.

“That doesn’t preclude us from continuing in dialogue with the Department of Transport and National Highways, should the need arise in the new year.”

The assistant director explained that the “very little benefit” he refers to was about the fact that there is already an M27 junction 10 where drivers can exit westbound and enter eastbound, but the new one would allow moves in both directions.

It was said that National Highways and the DfT “don’t need an improved junction 10” as it is “working satisfactorily” already.

Mr Morton added: “Having said that, the new junction will provide some benefits to the strategic road network because it will take pressure off of junction 11.

“There is a benefit to both the strategic network and our own network, but unfortunately, that argument hasn’t landed with the Department of Transport.”

The leader of Fareham Borough Council, councillor Seán Woodward Woodward, showed his support on any cabinet decision to withdraw from the project if required, but with some assurances for Fareham council and residents.

Cllr Woodward said: “I support the recommendation that the cabinet take any decision to withdraw from the role of the delivery body; however, make no mistake, this would be a huge decision from Hampshire County Council as it would terminate the vital economic contribution that Welborne Garden Village is currently on cost to deliver.

“Any decision to withdraw from the M27 junction 10 scheme would take us backwards in terms of securing growth and prosperity.”