THREE multi-million pound road improvement schemes in Hampshire will be severely delayed after Highways bosses admitted they cannot stick to their schedule.

Highways England said that improvements to the A31 at Ringwood, the M3 at junction 9 and M27 smart motorway will all be delayed from their original timeframes to avoid a clash with other schemes it is running.

The delays have been described as “devastating” for commuters by a motoring group.

The £100m road upgrade scheme at junction 9 at Winnall, where the M3 joins the A34 and A272, will be delayed by up to 15 months.

Originally it was due to start in March 2020, but has now been pushed back until mid-2021.

Meanwhile, the M27 smart motorway scheme between junction 4 at Eastleigh and junction 11 at Fareham was expected to start in March 2018.

But it will be delayed by six months until September 2018.

The £13.5m plans to add a third lane on the A31 at Ringwood will also be delayed, with its start date changing from March 2020 to March 2021.

Highways England said the delays were to ensure that there were not too many road projects happening at the same time.

A spokesperson added: “We have rescheduled the timing of some of these road improvements so motorists using motorways and major roads face the fewest possible delays.

“This will keep our roads moving and deliver a lasting legacy for the country.”

Jack Cousens, head of road safety policy at the AA, condemned the delays.

He said: “The news will be devastating to drivers who use these roads on a daily basis.

“After suffering months, if not years, of congestion at these hotspots they have had the hope of relief snatched away from, at least for the time being.”

“We know that budgets are tight, but the efficiency improvements would assist the economy and help tackle air quality.”

Councillor Rob Humby, Hampshire County Council’s transport portfolio holder, said: “We are obviously disappointed that Highways England have decided to delay their smart motorway scheme in Hampshire, but also understand the importance of making sure the proposals are right.”

“The motorway network in the south is almost at capacity, and while a delay in delivery could see rising costs, it does provide an opportunity for the scheme to evolve over time, so that an even better solution can be provided.”

Royston Smith, Tory MP for Southampton Itchen, said: “I do understand people’s concerns that these road improvements are not getting done sooner rather than later, but it is a rephrasing of the works and not a removal of the budgets.”

Steve Brine, MP for Winchester, said: “It has to be right that it’s done properly and Highways England spend taxpayers’ hard earned cash wisely.

“The public would rightly take a dim view if their money was spent on junction 9, only to see it ripped up a year later as part of another scheme.”

Councillor Sean Woodward, leader of Fareham Borough Council, said: “The delays for the projects are unfortunate but if they cannot be properly managed then the delays for commuters would be far worse.”

Cllr Michael Thierry, who represents Ringwood on Hampshire County Council said: “It is just a delay and we just have to accept that.”