A bypass around a quiet Hampshire village which was originally set to open in 2025 has been pushed back another two years.

After works on the £48m Botley Bypass stalled in autumn 2023, Hampshire County Council has now given an update to say the bypass is expected to open in ‘late summer 2027.’

Proposals for completing the last phase of the project will be considered by the council this month, as Councillor Kirsty North, the council’s Lead Cabinet Member of Universal Services, will review final funding arrangements on January 28.

If approved, work will start on site in February 2025.

READ MORE: Hampshire County Council update on Botley bypass as work stalls

The final stage of the scheme will create a new road eastward from Winchester Street, a new bridge crossing the River Hamble and a new roundabout at the junction between the A334 and the A3051.

Improved pedestrian and cycle routes will also be built as part of the project.

The bypass had been designed to increase road capacity and reduce congestion in Botley village, in turn making local journeys to and from Southampton on the M27 easier.

The council also noted that the bypass should support new development in the area, with some 'complementary measures' to be implemented in Botley village centre.

The budget for the bypass was originally set at £32million, but an extra £16million was allocated on July 18, 2024.

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A press release from the council said that additional funding was needed to meet the 'significant rise in construction and materials costs due to inflation,' and to allow for 'further adjustments' to accommodate for 'challenging ground conditions discovered during the preparation stage.'

Speaking in July, Councillor Nick Adams-King, Leader of Hampshire County Council, said it was 'important' to create infrastructure that can 'cope with additional traffic.'

The ward member said: "Completing this scheme will benefit residents and businesses in and around Botley village enormously, by reducing congestion, improving traffic capacity and, in turn, reducing noise and pollution in the village.

"To be able to agree the extra financial support required to fulfil our longstanding commitment to build the bypass is very positive.”