A SCHEME to improve access to Fareham and Gosport is nearing completion.

The final part of improvement work to increase capacity and ease congestion on Newgate Lane and the A27 Southampton Road in Fareham are all close to finishing.

These schemes have received funding from the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership which has responsibility for allocating Government funding to schemes supporting growth in their area.

Councillor Rob Humby, executive member for environment and transport at Hampshire County Council, said: “In relation to Newgate Lane, I’m pleased to say that our work is progressing well and that we will shortly be moving traffic across to run on the new section of road to enable us to complete the scheme including the tie in with existing roads.

“With regard to the A27, improvement works between Segensworth and Titchfield are also progressing well, and scheduled for completion in April.”

Access to the existing Newgate Lane will be via a link road between the new and the old road.

The £9.5 million Newgate Lane improvement scheme is a new road to the east of the existing road between HMS Collingwood and the Peel Common Roundabout.

The package of £10 million improvements on the A27 Segensworth and Titchfield is providing two lanes, in each direction.

A pedestrian and cycle facility has been constructed along the north side of the A27 Southampton Road, between the existing signal controlled crossing at Titchfield Park Road and Mill Lane.

Councillor Humby added: “The new ‘Newgate Lane East’ and the A27 scheme are both part of a package of transport measures we’ve put in place to realise our ambition of improving access to Fareham and Gosport.

"Together, all the improvements will bring better access to the area, including the Solent Enterprise Zone, and will help support and develop the area’s economic prosperity."