M3 Junction 9 Supplementary Preliminary Design Public Consultation

Overview

Between 2 July and 27 August 2019 we initially consulted on our preliminary designs. 

Over the next six weeks between Thursday 27 May and Thursday 8 July 2021 we are consulting further on our updated proposals to improve junction 9 of the M3. A key motorway junction which connects south Hampshire and the wider region, with London via the M3 and the midlands and the north via the A34. The Proposed Scheme is intended to reduce congestion and improve journeys between the M3 to and from Southampton and the A34 to and from Newbury. 

 The plan to widen the M3 locally to the junction will include:

• Creating four traffic lanes in each direction
• Rearranging the main junction 9 roundabout
• Building three new bridges and a number of other structures, including new underpasses
• Revising walking and cycling routes
• Improving the motorway slip-roads

We aim to reduce congestion, helping to improve road safety, and accessibility, make journey times more reliable and support economic growth. 

We are keen to hear your views; specifically, on how our plans may affect you, your organisation or those you represent.

To keep informed about how our Proposed Scheme progresses you can sign up to alerts by visiting the Proposed Scheme webpage at:

www.highwaysengland.co.uk/m3junction9 

Why your views matter

Since our consultation back in the summer of 2019, we have been reviewing your feedback. There was a high level of support for the Proposed Scheme. However, people were concerned about:

• The length available for vehicles to change lanes when joining the A34 from junction 9 and then heading to the A33 Kings Worthy; and 
• The traffic capacity of the Proposed Scheme and the length of the construction period.  

We’ve made several design changes to the Proposed Scheme, including to address and resolve those concerns. While we welcome feedback on the entire scheme, the changes we’re seeking feedback on are:

• New areas for environmental works and to place spare excavated material
• New areas for temporary construction compounds

• New highways and roundabout design to introduce better traffic flow between the M3 and A34
• A new footbridge over the River Itchen
• Extra space to build the Proposed Scheme in a safe, efficient and sensitive manner while keeping vehicles running through the junction 
• Revised walking and cycling routes

You may wish to read the ‘M3 Junction 9 Improvements Public Consultation Summary Report’ which summarises the feedback we received on the 2019 consultation.  

Development Consent Order

The Planning Act, a Development Consent Order (DCO) is the means of obtaining permission to construct and maintain developments categorised as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs). This includes energy, transport, water and waste projects. Some of our major road improvement proposals are classed as NSIPs. Before we submit a DCO application to the Planning Inspectorate, we hold consultations as part of our wider engagement activity. This is in addition to the request for representations and the examination of the application that the Planning Inspectorate organises once an application has been accepted.

For more information about how we follow the DCO process, please view our animation below:

Your thoughts on our revisions will help us shape our proposed scheme before we submit our Development Consent Order (DCO) application to the Planning Inspectorate.

How to get involved

Due to Covid-19 we’re not holding the face-to-face events as we normally would. These are unprecedented times in terms of public health, and in order to keep our staff and members of the public safe, we’ve taken our public consultation online. We’ve tried to ensure that information is accessible to all, and that people can easily respond and give feedback. For the most up-to-date information about what we’re doing and how you can get involved, visit our Proposed Scheme webpage  or call us on 0300 123 5000.

As well as reading our Public Consultation Brochure, we’d encourage you to visit our online exhibition, listen to our online webinars, or book a telephone appointment to speak to members of our project team.

Online exhibition

One of the best ways to find out about our proposals and have your say is to visit our online exhibition room. Here, you can learn more about the changes, study plans, watch a video of our proposals and submit your comments to us via our questionnaire.  You can access it by clicking here 

Online webinars

We’re also hosting seven online webinars, covering different topics and specialist areas, on Microsoft Teams.  At the online webinars, our project team will give a presentation and then take questions from attendees.  To register for one of these events, and to submit your questions beforehand, email M3junction9Improvements@highwaysengland.co.uk or call 0300 123 5000.

All online webinars will be recorded and published online after each event.

Telephone surgeries

We’re offering a telephone surgery service with members of the project team who’ll be happy to discuss our proposals and answer your questions. If you can give us an idea of what your questions are in advance of your appointment, we can try to make our most relevant team member available to talk to you.  

Appointments will be available Monday to Friday between midday and 7pm, and Saturday between 10am and 4pm throughout the consultation period. 

Email M3junction9Improvements@highwaysengland.co.uk or call 0300 123 5000 to book a telephone surgery appointment with us. 

Share your views

We’d like to hear your views about our proposals. It is important that you submit your response by 11.59 PM on Thursday 8 July 2021. Please not that responses received after this time may not be considered.

You can have your say on our proposals by completing our questionnaire by clicking the link below.  

Alternatively, you can send us your views using the following methods:

• Email – download a copy of the questionnaire, complete it and email it :M3junction9Improvements@highwaysengland.co.uk 
• Freepost – download a copy of the  questionnaire, print it out and return it to us for free by sending it to Freepost M3 JUNCTION 9. You can also request a paper copy of the questionnaire via the phone number or email address below 

You can also send us separate comments using the freepost and email details below.

Email M3junction9Improvements@highwaysengland.co.uk

or call 0300 123 5000 to book a telephone surgery appointment with us. 

What happens next

Large roads and junction schemes like ours do not follow the same system as smaller planning applications. They follow a process set out in the Planning Act 2008, under which we hope to be granted a ‘Development Consent Order’.  

This means that we have to submit our application directly to Government, via the Planning Inspectorate. Although the Secretary of State for Transport will decide whether to give permission for the Proposed Scheme, local authorities including; Hampshire County Council, Winchester City Council and South Downs National Park Authority have an important role to play in the process. We’ve already been talking to them about our proposals and are also asking for their comments as part of this consultation. 

We hope to submit the planning application during the early months of 2022.