Area braced for roadworks to make it safer and easier to reach doctors' surgery and hospital

The scheme, approved on January 19, will be funded with £566,000 from developer contributions and will provide safer routes to Fareham Community Hospital, the Brook Lane GP Surgery, and the Royal Mail delivery office.

The crossings will be located on either side of the hospital access, with build-outs at each point to slow traffic and widened footways to make walking safer and more comfortable.

The project also includes resurfacing the carriageway on the approaches to the crossings to improve grip and safety, along with enhancements to existing dropped kerb crossings.

Additional traffic-calming measures, including central islands and white lining, will help reduce lane widths and manage vehicle speeds.

During the meeting, local county councillor Michael Ford said: “This is very welcome. It got huge public support. It’s going to aid children going to Brookfield School, lots of them cross this busy road and the locations where the crossings are proposed are going to provide a lot of help for a lot of people.”

The scheme was approved by Cllr Lulu Bowerman, cabinet member for highways and public transport.

Construction is expected to begin in early February, with completion anticipated by April.