Work starts on Stubbington Bypass as engineers plan to complete project in two years

The ceremonial first spade has been put into the dirt for the £34.5m Stubbington Bypass, which will run from the B3334 Gosport Road to the B3334 Titchfield Road, with a new junction at Park Gate.

BAM Nuttall is putting the road together under the watchful eyes of Hampshire County Council, which hopes that the bypass will not only make rush-hour traffic through Gosport more bearable, but also improve air quality in Stubbington.

Rob McClelland, agent for BAM Nuttall, said: ‘We’re really excited about this project.

‘The benefits are going to be huge for local residents here – I worked on the Bus Rapid Transit project a few years ago so know all too well about the difficulties of driving on and off the peninsula.

‘We’re in the mobilisation stage of the project at the moment, getting everything in place before really getting stuck in next week.’

SEE ALSO: Headteacher shuts down Facebook page over 'demoralising' messages about staff

At the start of the project, around 100 workers will be on-site. The firm hopes to keep disruption to a minimum over the two-year construction period.

Deputy leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Rob Humby, said preparations for the bypass began in 2013.

He said: ‘This new bypass will improve journey times, especially around peak travelling hours.

‘We’re really pleased that we’re finally making a start on this.’

Stubbington residents are also looking forward to having an easier life on the roads.

Retired child support manager Michael Waller, 74, said: ‘I drive quite a lot around here and it’s easier to take the back roads than sit in traffic jams.

‘I think the bypass is going to make a big difference because it’s an extra route out of the area.’

Eileen Piper, 83, added: ‘I drive every day and there can be so much traffic sometimes.

‘I hope this does more than just move the traffic up the road.’