Hampshire County Council has started searching for a contractor to deliver the £35 million Stubbington Bypass in Fareham.

Cllr Rob Humby, the council's Executive Member for Environment and Transport, said the local authority is now reached the stage "where we can seek and appoint a contractor for this key project".

"Once appointed, the successful contractor will start detailed technical investigation work along the Stubbington Bypass route," he said.

"These investigations are likely to take place over the spring and summer and will look at soil conditions, location of any unmapped underground cables, the condition of the existing drainage network and archaeological surveys. The results of the investigations will help finalise the detailed design of the scheme, highlight any risks which need mitigation and enable the scheme to be delivered within the proposed timescale.

-- Advertisement --

"These investigation works will turn the plan into a reality - allowing the scheme to be finalised and work to start on the ground."

Subject to funding agreements, it is hoped work on the bypass itself will start in early 2019.

Cllr Humby continued: "Improving the transport network will undoubtedly encourage new investment and development into the area and provide new jobs for local people, which is why Hampshire County Council has taken the lead in bringing forward these proposals.

"This scheme will also contribute to addressing air quality problems at Fareham which has been identified as a priority for reducing Nitrogen Dioxide levels in the Government’s national air quality plan.

"We are keen to start building the scheme, subject to all the works mentioned, and securing detailed final funding approval from the Department for Transport and the Solent LEP."

(LM/MH)