WORK on a multi-million pound road scheme in Hampshire is expected to start in November.

The long-awaited £34m Stubbington bypass near Fareham has moved a step closer as civic chiefs have confirmed that work is expected to start in November this year.

It comes as the scheme was delayed by nine months following a public inquiry into the concerns raised by a resident.

County bosses have now approved the project appraisal and councillor Sean Woodward, leader of Fareham Borough Council, has confirmed that work is expected to start in November and it will take two years for the scheme to be completed.

As previously reported, the proposal includes the construction of a new single carriageway road between the B3354 Titchfield Road and Gosport Road passing to the north and east of Stubbington, the widening of Titchfield Road and improvements to the A27 Titchfield Gyratory.

Civic chiefs said the bypass will divert traffic around the outskirts of Stubbington and reduce journey time and peak hour congestion onto and off the Gosport peninsula as well as supporting long-term plans for regeneration and economic development. 

Talking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service councillor Woodward said: "It is going to mean a huge improvement in the quality of life for the residents of Stubbington and that is why I proposed the bypass in the first place. "

He said there will be "very little disruption" for motorists once the work will start.

"The majority of it is not across the highway. It is going to be through fields," he explained.

In an official document Hampshire County Council said: "In order to minimise traffic disruption on the existing road network during the construction phase and when connecting the new road to the existing network, any necessary road restrictions including road closures and traffic diversions via suitable routes when possible will not be applied during the peak traffic times and night work will be undertaken as appropriate. "

Cllr Rob Humby, deputy leader of Hampshire County Council and executive member for economy, transport and environment, said the scheme for a bypass at Stubbington represents the final part of an investment of nearly £100m into road and transport improvements near Gosport which include improvements to the A27 and the Eclipse Bus Rapid Transit route.