PLANS for a new cyclway which will link Chandler’s Ford and Southampton have been given the green light.

The £1.14m scheme will see a  three metre wide, two kilometre long off-road  cycleway and footway along Hut Hill.

The route will be along the southern section of Bournemouth Road and Winchester Road, close to Hampshire Corporate Business Park and will pass over the M27 to connect with the northern end of The Avenue in Southampton. 

The scheme was approved by councillor Rob Humby, executive member for environment and transport at Hampshire County Council (HCC) on Tuesday.

He said  the route is well used by cyclists, with more than 230 journeys a day being made.

Work on the scheme could start in autumn 2019 and public engagements are set to take place over the coming months, but further details are yet to be revealed.

Cllr Humby said: ” It is an important link between large residential and employment areas, and provides access to schools, local amenities, and leisure facilities. These planned improvements mean that this facility will link to the top of The Avenue in Southampton, enabling more people to leave their cars at home and cycle or walk safely to their places of employment or education, contributing to improved air quality in the area.” 

The scheme will be  jointly developed and delivered by HCC and Southampton City Council (SCC).

Cllr Jacqui Rayment, cabinet member for transport and  place at SCC, said: “We’ve worked in partnership with Hampshire County Council to secure funding for this important part of the Southampton Cycle Network on the SCN5 Northern Cycle Freeway. This will add to the improved cycle ways we are nearing completion on at Inner Avenue and the work we have planned to make it easier, safer and more attractive to cycle along the Avenue from the north. There has never been a better time to swap the car for a bicycle if you travel into Southampton along this route.”