November 2008
A340 Improvements and Merton Rise Access, Basingstoke
The fourth phase of the traffic management, enabling the reconstruction of the A340 northbound carriageway is now complete.
Phase five will allow for the completion of the A340 central reservation and the southbound carriageway verge . The works will include drainage, provision of safety barriers, street lighting and signage. During this phase, northbound traffic will be moved onto the outer lane of the newly constructed northbound carriageway. Southbound traffic will remain on one of the two southbound lanes, depending on the requirements to complete the works.
The switch over of traffic will be instigated on Wednesday 26th November.
The current off peak closures of the A339 eastbound off-slip road are anticipated to continue for eight to ten days.
October 2008
Aldermaston Road Roundabout - Closure Updates
The current closure of the roundabout has enabled works to progress according to programme.
The A340 Road Roundabout is programmed to reopen to traffic under the East Bridge on Monday 6th October. The closure is then anticipated to move to the section of the road under the West Bridge for a duration of about three weeks. This closure will result in traffic being diverted from the roundabout onto the A339 Westbound, to Newbury Road Roundabout, returning along the A339 Eastbound and exiting at the slip road, back onto the A340 roundabout. During this day and night closure, a number of side roads will be subjected to night time -7pm to 6am- closures to allow for the carriageway reconstruction operations. All diversion routes will be signposted.
The current arrangements for traffic flow along the A340 Aldermaston Road will be unaffected by the proposed road closure under the west bridge at the roundabout.
September 2008
Unavoidable closures planned for A340 Basingstoke
Hampshire County Council has announced that the final stages of works to complete improvements to the A340 Aldermaston Road and Merton Rise Access will begin on Monday 22 September with some road closures expected.
As the final phase approaches, engineers have confirmed that some day and night road closures for various sections of the A340 Aldermaston Road Roundabout will be necessary in order for extensive repairs to the carriageway to be carried out.
The first closure, from 22 September, will be to the section of the roundabout under the east bridge, which will result in traffic being diverted onto the A339 to the A33 junction; returning along the A339 westbound and exiting at the westbound slip road back on to the roundabout. All anticipated diversions resulting from the closures will be signposted, and all works will be carried out whilst maintaining single lane traffic flow in each direction on the A340 Aldermaston Road.
The works at the roundabout are expected to continue until November and it is anticipated that the road closures at the roundabout will only be needed until late October. The entire scheme is expected to be completed by the start of the new year.
Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Councillor Mel Kendal, said: “We have taken all possible steps to minimise disruption and traffic congestion but the scope of the works needed during this final phase leaves us with no alternative but to close the road at certain points in the construction. We’re not in the business of making life difficult for road users - but we do need to consider national Health and Safety Executive guidelines in making these judgements.
“We ask people to understand the need for this work to be carried out and to bear with us for the duration. The end is in sight - it is really a matter of about six weeks - and the result will be a much better road system for this integral part of Basingstoke. “
July 2008
A340 Improvements and Merton Rise Access, Basingstoke
The third phase of the traffic management, enabling the reconstruction of the southbound carriageway is now complete.
Phase Four will allow for the reconstruction of the northbound carriageway and the completion of associated works, including drainage, provision of safety barriers, street lighting and signage.
During this phase, all traffic will be moved onto the newly constructed southbound carriageway, now wide enough to accommodate two lanes of traffic and a one metre overrun strip. The strip is designed to be used by Heavy Goods Vehicles to allow the safe passage of emergency vehicles in an emergency situation.
The switch over of traffic will be instigated on Tuesday 22nd July.
In order to minimise delays during Phase Four, a feeder lane for northbound traffic turning into Priestley Road will be constructed in advance of the traffic signals. It will be necessary to close Priestley Road at the junction with the A340 overnight for approximately five consecutive nights in order to reconstruct the carriageway at the junction. This is not programmed until early September, and details of the closure will be given at a later stage.
Work to the centre island of the Aldermaston Road Roundabout is still taking place.
April 2008
Merton Rise Phase 4 and 5
The launch of the release of Phases 4 and 5 took place at the new Everest Community College on 16 April 2008. Developers will be invited to tender for the development land comprising up to 117 homes for phase 4 and up to 113 homes for phase 5.
November 2007
Contract awarded for A340 Aldermaston Roundabout / Road scheme
The contract for the major road project on A340 Aldermaston Road in Basingstoke, including access to Merton Rise, has been awarded to Carillion Construction. The £9.5 million, 13 month improvement scheme by Hampshire County Council is scheduled to start on 3 December. Please follow the link for further information.
October 2007
Merton Rise Phase 3
The launch of the release of Phase 3 Merton Rise took place at the Apollo Hotel on 2 October 2007. Developers will be invited to tender for the development land - comprising 241 new homes and a 17 dwelling "Eco Homes" parcel, 1.6Ha employment/commercial land and open space and play areas.
September 2007
A340 Aldermaston Roundabout / Road Improvements and Merton Rise Access
Please follow the link for further information.
Everest Community College opened at Merton Rise on the 7 September 2007
The new school has been financed through the sale of the former John Hunt school site, for residential development and funding from Basingstoke and Deane Borough and Hampshire County Councils and developer contributions.
Work commenced in Spring 2005. A photo gallery of the new school can be found on the Basingstoke Gazette website. Please follow the link.
April 2007
Merton Rise Phase I Housing
Detailed planning permission for 87 dwellings on Phase 1B (Wimpey) was granted on 5 April 2007 under planning application BDB/65087.
February 2007
Merton Rise Phase I Housing
Detailed planning permission for 79 dwellings on Phase 1A (Miller Homes) was granted on 26 February 2007 under planning application BDB/64845.
Merton Rise Spine Road
The Development Masterplan and Concept Statement for the Spine Road (Stages 2-4) has been approved on 10 February 2007.
Click here for further information
December 2006
Merton Rise Phase I Park
Detailed planning permission for the Chineham Lane Park including equipped play area and kickabout was granted on 21 December 2006 under Planning apllication BDB/64731.
Thursday 7 December 2006
John Hunt of Everest School site
Detailed planning permission for the John Hunt of Everest School site (Phase 1) was granted on 15 November 2006. Linden Homes is now looking to undertake some preparatory works on site. Click here for further information.
Friday 10 November 2006
North Basingstoke Major Roadworks 2006-2007
Further information about the major roadworks in north Basingstoke that will start in Autumn 2006 is available on the County Councils Website. Click here.
Tuesday 7 November 2006
A340 Aldermaston Road Improvements, Basingstoke
Hampshire County Council is developing proposals to provide traffic signals on the Aldermaston Roundabout together with road widening of the A340 between the roundabout and Priestley Road.
Construction is programmed to start in autumn 2007 and this is your opportunity to view the proposals before works begin.
Further information on the proposals is available on the County Council website Click here.
September 2006
Merton Rise Phase 2 Masterplan
The Merton Rise Development Masterplan and Concept Statement for Phase 2 and the Neighbourhood Centre was approved 21 September 2006
Click here for further information
Monday 6th February 2006
Structural Landscaping
Hampshire County Council's contractor intends to carry out structural landscaping works on the Merton Rise ridgeline to the east of Greatfield Farm. Work will commence in the week commencing 30th January 2006 for approximately 4 weeks.
January 2006
Merton Rise Phase 1 Masterplan
The Merton Rise Development Masterplan for Phase I of the new development was approved 16 January 2006.
Click here for more information
Tuesday 22nd November 2005
Strategic Landscape Planting
Contractors will be carrying out landscape planting from 22 November 2005 for 10 to 14 days on an area to the north of the new school site in the North of Popley Way development.
Thursday 3rd November 2005
Detailed archaeological site investigations
On 17 October 2005 and for a period of four weeks, the County Council’s appointed archaeological contractor, Wessex Archaeology, will be undertaking a series of focused site investigations. This follows the initial trench survey sampling exercise undertaken earlier in 2005, as shown in the area with the red boundary below.
View North Popley Insert Map (PDF file - 254KB)
The site investigations will involve a limited number of vehicles and equipment, which will access the site from Chineham Lane. In addition, a series of protective bunds will be constructed within the site along the Sherborne Road and Chineham Lane frontages to minimise the opportunity for further Gypsy encampments.
Monday 8th August 2005
Proposed Replacement John Hunt of Everest Community School – Commencement of Enabling Works
The initial site works in respect of the replacement John Hunt of Everest School on the North of Popley Way site commenced the week beginning 1 August 2005.
These works will involve significant earth moving exercise to prepare the playing fields. This will provide the formation level for the footprint of the school buildings, the external areas including the all-weather pitch, the courtyards and parking areas. This work represents a key milestone for the replacement school project.
The works programme is currently anticipated to last approximately 15 weeks. The main contract to construct the school will follow on as soon as possible after this to meet the anticipated programme for opening the school in 2007.
Access for these works will be from Chineham Lane, following on from the recent completion of the school access. A formal site compound will be established for plant machinery and operatives’ vehicles. The site works involve movement of material between the eastern and western parts of the school site and this will involve a large number of heavy vehicle movements.
To ensure the safety of both the public and the work force it is proposed to close Sherborne Road from its junction with Popley Way to Orchard House. The order for this closure is now in place with the formal closure is now in place with the formal closure taking effect from Monday 8th August. Access to all properties will be maintained at all times and a diversion will be in operation via Chineham Lane for the duration of the closure. This will be appropriately signed at all times. Additionally, a temporary turning facility will also be provided just below Orchard House for refuse and other delivery vehicles to make use of us in relation to the small number of properties served by Sherborne Road.
Further details on the hours of operation can be obtained from:
Andrew Pritchard
Team Leader
Property Services
Hampshire County Council
Tel: 01962 813829
E-mail: Andrew@pritchard@hants.gov.uk
The works are subject to the standard hours of operation under planning, namely 0730-1800 hours Monday to Fridays and 0800-1300 hours on Saturday. The contractor is required to comply with this at all times.
Thursday 7th July 2005
Popley Fields (Marnel Park)
Following completion of the relocation of Great Crested Newts from the development area, totalling some 4000, from the construction areas of the development, works have commenced on the first phase of the David Wilson Homes development at Popley Fields. This comprises the creation of newt habitat and landscaping together with the creation of two new road accesses from Carpenter’s Down into the development site.
These works have been designed following detailed discussions with Basingstoke and Deane BC and English Nature and are being carried out under a licence issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
The works are also being supervised by an expert Ecological Consultant to ensure that the favourable conservation status of the Great Crested Newts is safeguarded during construction.
The works consist of the preparation of enhanced newt habitat by way of a landscaped swale corridor which will provide a protected route for the newts to access foraging areas to the north and west and the breeding area at Popley Pond. The swale will contain, in addition to extensive landscaping, hibernacula for use by the newts during their hibernation period.
The formation of this swale requires the excavation of a substantial quantity of material which will be temporarily stock piled on site prior to transportation to the area proposed for the new football pitches in the southwest corner of the development adjoining Chineham Lane.
This strategy of temporary stockpiling of material has been adopted to avoid conflict with construction traffic with the neighbouring development at North Popley and to reduce the impact on the local road network.
The site accesses proposed from Carpenter’s Down will incorporate culverts under the new roads to provide the newts with an uninterrupted and safe passage through the corridor.
Friday 20th May 2005
John Hunt of Everest – Phase One Development Summary
Hampshire County Council have published the marketing particulars for the design offer process for phase one of the John Hunt of Everest School to attract bids from house-builders.
Within their bid, developers will be expected to provide information on a number of key issues. This will allow Hampshire County Council to assess the proposals for quality and compliance with the specified requirements:
- A phase one plan at a scale of 1:500, showing all roads, buildings and spaces.
- Plan of building heights and the intended roof plan.
- Illustrative sections of the site in three locations: Popley Way, the Urban Square, Shakespeare Road.
- Concise statement setting out how all of the requirements of the site have been met.
- Examples of previous work.
The first phase of this development is to be developed whilst the existing school remains operational. Full development will only arise once new community school has been built.
Construction of the main access
- Work has commenced on the construction of the main access to the site and landscape corridors approved under BDB/58716.
- Popley Fields phase one planning permission
The reserved matters application BDB/60256 for Phase One of the Popley Fields/Marnel Park development was approved by Councillors on 5th May. The application is for the erection of 226 dwellings (phase one) with associated access and landscaping pursuant to outline planning permission, BDB/48052.