Cart and Horses: Residents back improvements to dangerous junction

Hampshire County Council is reinforcing that an improvement scheme for the Cart and Horses junction with the A33 and B3047 in Kings Worthy is reliant on a decision by central government.

The council launched a consultation on two multi-million pound long-term options, of either a signalised junction or two compact roundabouts, over the summer.

More than 880 responses were received with feedback showing strong support for both design proposals. The junction is considered one of the worst in the district for accidents.

But to move forward, the county council is depending on National Highways to include the improvements in itsM3  Junction 9 plans which will be determined in May.

READ MORE: Cart and Horses junction: Hampshire council shares design options

Option one: double roundabout (Image: Hampshire County Council)

Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Rob Humby, said: “We’re grateful to all those who took the time to provide their views on the options. Their responses, together with the initial designs, are very helpful in informing our discussions with National Highways.

“I have read the consultation feedback and it is clear people currently find the junction uncomfortable to use. However, we are unable to press ahead with improvements to the Cart and Horses junction without funding. We must wait for the Secretary of State for Transport’s decision about National Highways’ M3 Junction 9 improvement scheme, which is expected in May. It is possible that the minister may agree the National Highways scheme but disagree there is a case for improvements to the Cart and Horses junction. This would mean there would be no funding to deliver a scheme. If that is the outcome, we would have no choice but to wait for another funding opportunity.”

Councillor Jackie Porter, who’s been campaigning for a safer junction since 2014, said: “The number of responses to the local consultation showed the level of local public interest and the Chronicle highlighting it as one of the five worst junctions in the county certainly raised its profile. 

“Closer analysis of the results showed a high percentage of car drivers preferred the roundabout, but numerous cyclists use the junction too and they could see problems with the design.

“But the key point is who pays? The county says it has no money to do this work, and if National Highways won’t fund it as part of their M3 Junction 9 plan, then the campaign to find the money will continue.

“Unless the county council bites the bullet and says it will come up with the money to make the junction safer, it will stay as it is – the design on paper.”

Option two: traffic signals (Image: Hampshire County Council)

SEE ALSO: Cart and Horses junction converted from give way to stop

Fellow ward councillor and campaigner, Cllr Steve Cramoysan, said: “The response from people who live in the Worthys and Itchen Valley and beyond to our campaign for a safer Cart and Horses junction and the consultation has been fantastic. Without public support, the county council consultation would not have happened.

“The two options presented each have pros and cons for road users. Some car drivers prefer roundabouts because they potentially offer greater capacity at peak times. Other drivers prefer the assurance of traffic lights informing all road users of the junction of when it is safe to proceed with caution, and when you should stop. 

“People walking or cycling across the junction generally prefer the traffic light option. We should all be mindful that the county council has made no commitment to funding. Until the money is found and the county council is firmly committed to upgrading the Cart and Horses junction, we will continue our campaign to get the job done”