Cart and Horses junction: Hampshire council shares design options

After years of campaigning by locals, the county council has proposed two multi-million-pound ideas to transform the Cart and Horses junction in Kings Worthy.

The options, of either a signalised junction or two compact roundabouts, were exhibited at the Worthys Jubilee Hall on Wednesday, July 19, with the event attracting more than 100 people.

Public information event (Image: Adele Bouchard)

READ MORE: Cart and Horses: Hampshire County Council opens survey for redesign

The transport team was there to answer queries following the launch of the online survey, encouraging junction users to have their say.

Option one includes two roundabouts with a Toucan crossing (signal-controlled crossing for people walking and cycling) on the southern A33 approach. Construction is estimated to take nine to 13 months and cost £5.4m.

Option one: Double roundabout, view from London Road (Image: Hampshire County Council)

While option two would see a signalised junction with Toucan crossings on both approaches of the A33 and London Road. This would approximately take six to nine months and cost £3.9m. Although there would be a smaller construction footprint, there would be higher maintenance costs and worse delays and capacity issues than option one.

Option two: Traffic signals, view from London Road (Image: Hampshire County Council)

Option two does however provide more protection for pedestrians and cyclists and risks fewer trees being removed.

In both proposals, the A33 approach from the south would be changed from the current one lane in each direction with central reservation to a more traditional single-carriageway.

SEE ALSO: M3 Junction 9 Winchester: South Downs National Park objections

These changes are dependent on National Highways amending its proposals for the M3 Junction 9 improvements.

Vernon Tottle, 70, from Itchen Abbas, attended the event. He said: “Whatever design the road ends up with, it probably won’t be able to manage the extra amount of traffic when the A34 gets clogged up,  but anything is better than what we have got now.

Vernon Tottle (Image: Adele Bouchard)

“The current layout is very dangerous because it’s not clear who has the right of way. Decades ago there was a stop sign which caused huge tailbacks but was quite safe.

“I’d prefer a roundabout because people would have to slow down. It’s nice to see that somebody is finally taking an interest, I’ve never seen an exhibition like this.”

Tina Sergeant, 74, of Lea View in Headbourne Worthy, agreed that a roundabout would be the best option but questioned whether speed limits would be reduced too. She said: “It’s a scary junction. So many people have asked why they haven’t put a roundabout there.

Tina Sergeant (Image: Adele Bouchard)

“The only other way would be traffic lights but that would cause enormous traffic. At least with roundabouts it flows. Something definitely needs to be done but they should really be reducing the speeds to 30pmh too.

“It’s excellent that they’re involving people. I feel far better informed now and will be encouraging others to come along.”

READ ALSO: Hampshire country pub previews £1m transformation ahead of re-opening

Mark and Jane Wheeler, from Abbots Worthy, were in disagreement over the two proposals. Mrs Wheeler said: “People need to stop pulling out, give way and be more aware of the Highway Code. It’s borderline comical how people deal with the junction.

“My preferred option is traffic signals and making it obvious. They need to keep it as simple as possible. This is a massive positive step as something needs to be done before more people die.”

Mark Wheeler (Image: Adele Bouchard)

Mr Wheeler said: “A lot of the problem is people bombing down the road. With a roundabout, it would slow people down.”

The council could decide on a preferred scheme towards the end of this winter, dependent on the response of the Development Consent Order (DCO)

The next public information event will be at Winchester Rugby Club from 3-7.30pm on Tuesday, September 5.

The survey is open until Sunday, September 17, for more go to hants.gov.uk/transport/transportschemes/cart-and-horses-junction-improvements.