We’ve notified residents in Old Kempshott Lane, the roads off it, and in Highfields of a plan to stop people from turning right into, or out of Old Kempshott Lane on the junction with the Worting Road. It will affect residents on Chiltern Way too. The planning application goes before the Council’s planning committee on 24th or 25th March, so if you want to have your say, it’s best to get in quick.

What’s the issue?

The B3400 Worting Road takes traffic from Winklebury, Becket’s Rise and Manydown into Basingstoke and beyond. A pinch point is the narrow Worting Rail Bridge just after the Worting Road / Roman Way roundabout.

The Council’s traffic consultants assessed the new Manydown (North) housing development (up to 3,520 houses). They looked at likely traffic build-up on the Worting Road during the morning and evening rush hour (including the school run).

Their report says that letting cars turn right into Old Kempshott Lane from the Worting Road will clog up traffic back to the Worting Railway Bridge and the roundabout. The proposed solution is to stop cars from making that right turn.They suggest that residents could take one of two alternative routes:

• Use the Worting Roundabout to turn round back onto the Worting Road, then turn left into Old Kempshott Lane (about a mile);
• Turn right into Chiltern Way and use that road to access Old Kempshott Lane and Highfields.

The plans also say cars coming out of Old Kempshott Lane should be blocked from turning right onto Worting Road. Instead, cars will have to turn left, pass under the bridge and then use the Worting Road / Roman Way roundabout to turn round back onto the Worting Road.

Alternative options to the ban are listed on Page 9 of the report (two types of roundabouts, a ghost island and traffic signals). From what I can see, they’ve discounted all of them.

What do you think of the plans? How will they affect you? This planning application will be heard on 24th March. If you intend to comment on it, it’s best to do it soon.

Next steps

If you wish to give your feedback on the proposals, there are three ways to do it:

1. Online through the Council’s public planning website. You need to ‘Log In’ (if you’re not registered to comment on the site you’ll need to Register’). In the search box, type in 17/00818/OUT to bring up the Manydown North planning application. You can then make your comment.
2. Email the planning officers (developmentcontrol@basingstoke.gov.uk). Remember to include reference number 17/00818/OUT.
3. Write to: Planning Development, Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council, Civic Offices, London Road, Basingstoke RG21 4AH. Include the reference of the planning application (17/00818/OUT).

We’ve outlined the process on our page Planning applications – how to view or comment.

The Council’s planning meeting

The Manydown North planning application goes before Basingstoke & Deane’s Development Control Committee on 24th March (possibly 25th March too). Committee members review the evidence and comments before they make recommendations.

I intend to speak at this meeting as your Buckskin ward councillor. Members of the public can apply to speak too – as long as they have commented on the planning application.

The residents I have spoken to are strongly against this proposal. You can also let me know your views by email (cllr.tony.jones@basingstoke.gov.uk) or on my Facebook page Tony Jones – Kempshott & Buckskin.

Further information

The consultant’s report was published at the end of December 2019 on Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council’s planning site. There is a condensed report: (Appendix A: Junction Technical Notes for VS9 Old Kempshott Lane). There is a portal to access all the Manydown planning documents.

The photo below shows the Old Kempshott Lane junction with the B3400 Worting Road with the railway bridge in the background.