Work is underway at a project to reduce levels of congestion around the M3 Black Dam roundabout in the vicinity of Basingstoke.

The Highways Agency is today (October 13th) installing narrow lanes and a temporary 30 mph speed limit for travellers, as it looks to carry out the first phase of a major renovation for the transport network in the area.

A widening of all approaches to the roundabout is to be completed over the coming months, while the roundabout itself is to be expanded from three to four lanes. It is hoped the project will be finished by summer 2015, weather permitting.

Ed French, assistant service delivery manager at the Highways Agency, said: "This is a big upgrade for this busy junction and will bring substantial benefits to road users, business and the general public.

"The improvements we're making will help to support the 13,220 jobs being created by the Basingstoke and Dean and Basing View developments by 2020, and will also help support local plans to create 4,080 homes by 2020."

He added that the scheme will provide substantial benefits to the local community, businesses and surrounding area in the years ahead.

A range of essential maintenance programmes will also be carried out on the existing lanes of the carriageway during the coming months.The Highways Agency is working in partnership with Hampshire County Council and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to deliver this scheme.

This latest improvement to transport infrastructure in the UK forms part of the government's ongoing £317 million Pinch Point Programme that is targeting areas of bottlenecks for motorists up and down the country.

It was launched in November 2011 and aims to provide the largest single investment in the UK's roads since the 1970s.

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