Construction on the Botley Bypass's final phase will begin next month after Hampshire County Council approved the project.

Hampshire County Council's cabinet member for universal services, councillor Kirsty North, approved the £48 million project on Tuesday.

Milestone Infrastructure, part of M Group Services’ Transport Division, has been chosen as the contractor, with the project expected to wrap up by late summer 2027.

Clearing of the site is set to kick off in February, with the main construction activities starting in May.

Before the major works commence, a public information event will take place featuring the contractor.

Councillor Kirsty North said: "I am pleased to give the Botley Bypass the green light. This will make local journeys easier, including those to and from Southampton and the M27, by providing much needed additional road capacity.

"It will also greatly benefit residents in and around Botley village by reducing congestion, noise and pollution that has blighted this small community. Work will begin on site next month.

"Inevitably, construction of a scheme of this scale will cause some temporary disruption but we are aiming to keep inconvenience to a minimum. We will be providing regular updates as the scheme progresses."

Sean Murphy, regional director at Milestone Infrastructure, said: "The Botley Bypass is a key project for the village of Botley and the wider area and continues Milestone’s longstanding relationship with Hampshire County Council. This project will see our team collaborate with the council, creating a fully integrated delivery team that is expected to streamline the project build.

The concluding phase of the Botley Bypass will see the development of a new single-carriageway road stretching eastwards from Winchester Street, the construction of a new bridge over the River Hamble, and the establishment of a new roundabout at the A334 junction with the A3051.

The project also aims to enhance pedestrian and cycle routes, promoting more active travel for local journeys.

Regular updates about the project, including details of forthcoming community information events, will be shared on the scheme's webpages.

The opening of the bypass, initially scheduled for 2025, has now been postponed until late summer 2027 due to construction delays that began in autumn 2023.