PLANS to develop a new multimillion-pound bus network that could revolutionise public transport across Fareham and Gosport are set to get under way later this month.

Hampshire County Council will be starting ecological survey work later this month to bring forward a new stretch of south-east Hampshire’s bus rapid transit scheme (BRT) between Fareham and Gosport, also known as the Eclipse Busway.

The existing transit scheme runs for 2.8 miles between Fareham and Bridgemary which is served by the Eclipse bus, is used by one million people last year, however, the next phase would see a dedicated busway running to Rowner Road in Elson with further plans to extend it to Ann Hill Road in the town centre.

Councillor Rob Humby, executive member for Environment and Transport at Hampshire County Council, said: “The Eclipse buses which run on the existing route between Redlands Lane in Fareham and Tichborne Way in Gosport have proved a huge success – more than 20% of Eclipse passengers previously made their journeys by car.

“This extension has been designed to help more people get to areas of employment and education using public transport, reducing traffic delays and supporting investment in the area.”

Marc Reddy, managing director for First Hampshire, Dorset and Berkshire, operators of the BRT, added: “Not only has the BRT and Eclipse ticked all the boxes when combatting congestion, the buses are also one of the cleanest with regards to emissions, so further helping air quality. “We look forward to continuing our positive relationship with Hampshire County Council to making the Eclipse service even more attractive for the people from Fareham to Gosport, and everywhere in between.”

Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage, pictured, said: “Historically, the Gosport peninsula has suffered from chronic underinvestment in transport infrastructure, and while there is still more to do I am glad that much-needed progress is being made in extending the BRT Busway.”

The news comes after the county council transport bosses received £6.9 million of funding from the Department for Transport in October to deliver the scheme.