There are 'severe doubts' over a £130m plan to widen a key New Forest road into a dual carriageway.

Hampshire County Council is set to carry out the work on the busy A326 from Hounsdown Business Park to the M27, reaching people in Totton, Marchwood and Dibden.

The authority is undertaking works to widen the existing road so it would be suitable as a dual carriageway.

READ MORE: A326: Public consultation on road widening and other plans

But Totton South ward councillor David Harrison has said there are now questions over the funding.

He said: “Many of you will have taken part in the consultation, which finished in the summer of 2023, after which HCC decided to proceed to the next stage, hoping to secure the necessary government funding.

“A few things have happened since that time. The Leader at HCC has been replaced. We have a new government.

“There are severe doubts about the whole project - it doesn't seem to be taking off, as promised.

“I have registered to speak at the next county council meeting to ask the question to the Executive Member for Highways.

“By serving early notice of my question, it will probably prompt the Executive Member, or her Team, to contact the Department of Transport and find out whether the scheme is likely to be progressed or not.

“There are a lot of people, living near to the road, who would like to see the scheme dropped, especially if it means removing the tree buffer between their homes and the road.

“I don't blame them, at all - I would feel exactly the same way.

“They deserve an early answer.”

The road is a major route linking the areas of Totton and Dibden, passing through areas such as Marchwood and Pooksgreen.

A county council meeting is due to take place on November 19 for the executive member for transport, Cllr Lulu Bowerman.