Due to the exceptional success and growth of Havant’s Broadmarsh Business Area (also known as Havant South Business Park), and the interest of SEEDA in the further development of this strategic Business Area, the Highways Agency decided that the existing junction of the A27 with Harts Farm Way should be improved to cope with the expected increase in traffic movements. Now complete, the new junction provides all Broadmarsh businesses with excellent access to the south’s highway network.

 

The major road improvement contract to rebuild the junction started on 21 August 2006 with the closure of the western end of Harts Farm Way. This road re-opened on 22nd December although road works continued at the junction until early July 2007.

 

 

 

The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), in conjunction with Havant Borough Council, the Highways Agency and Hampshire County Council, will begin undertaking the construction of a new road junction at the intersection of the Harts Farm Way and the A27 road at Broadmarsh, from Monday 21st August 2006 at 10am.

 

The new road works are necessary to improve access to the new developments built or planned for the Broadmarsh area.  These new developments include the proposed regeneration of the SEEDA owned, 4 Hectare brownfield site at Harts Farm Way which was previously used by Havant Borough Council as a depot.  

 

The land either side of the existing junction is landfill placed during the 1970’s. In order to avoid long term settlement the new junction will be built upon a new piled platform. To allow the safe and rapid installation of the several hundred piles required, the Harts Farm Way approach to the A27 will be temporarily closed (western end only) to through traffic. The duration of the closure will be kept to an absolute minimum, consistent with the protection of members of the public. This closure period will be dependent on the contractor’s programme of construction but it is expected to last for up to 18 weeks. However, both lanes of the slip road onto and off the A27 (westbound) will remain operational until the end of September, after which they will be reduced to one lane for a short period. Alternative access to existing sites including the Household Waste Recycling Centre will be available via signed diversion routes.

 

Whilst some traffic disruption is expected to occur as a result of the closure of the western end of Harts Farm Way to all traffic, SEEDA and Havant Borough Council are in consultation with the Highways Agency and Hampshire County Council (the local Highway Authority), the local police force and other relevant bodies to ensure that diversions are in place to minimise this disruption.  SEEDA is also issuing a letter to local residents to inform them of the situation.

 

The closure of the western end only of Harts Farm Way at  the A27 junction is required because of the proximity of the large piling plant that will be required for the construction of the road foundations. The new improved road junction is expected to be finished and operational by early 2007.

 

If residents have any concerns they should please call the project Hotline on 023 9244 9618. This number will be answered during normal working hours Monday to Friday. Out of hours calls will be recorded and responded to as soon as possible.

 

For further information, please contact Samantha Philpott, SEEDA Deputy Head of Communications, on 01483 470177 or e-mail samphilpott@seeda.co.uk.

 

 

 

SEEDA is the Government funded agency responsible for the economic and social development of the South East of England - the driving force of the UK's economy. Our aim is to create a prosperous, dynamic and inspirational region by helping businesses compete more effectively, training a highly skilled workforce, supporting and enabling our communities while safeguarding our natural resources and cherishing our rich cultural heritage.

 

This is a major development opportunity for the borough as referred to in “Unlocking the Potential” the borough’s Regeneration Strategy for 2005-2008 >>. The progress with the junction improvements is a milestone in the regeneration of Broadmarsh. It will significantly improve access and open up some key sites for development, creating over 400 jobs by 2008.