THE proposed diversion of Andover Road will sharply increase traffic on local roads, says a firm of local architects.

CALA Homes has planning permission to close the current Andover Road to through traffic and divert vehicles through the middle of its Kings Barton housing development.

Campaigners have been fighting the diversion which has received planning permission.

Last week city MP Steve Brine said CALA had accepted that the decision could be changed.

Now ADAM Urbanism has reported that the re-routing would seriously impact local roads such as Priors Dean Road in Harestock by as much as 33 per cent.

In a statement ADAM said: “We been following the debate about the re-routing of the Andover Road and, to assist, have used a specialist and proven computerised calculation for traffic flows, PLACE LOGIC, to test the likely changes.

“This shows that, with the Andover Road diverted through the Kings Barton development, an increase in traffic of about 33 per cent in Priors Dean Road might be expected.”

ADAM, based in Hyde Street, says the calculation took into account traffic coming into Winchester from the north as far as Andover. It says it does not calculate actual numbers but is based on the principle that drivers have a tendency to take the shortest route, especially at peak commuting times.

Taking into account the whole road network from the north and the sum total of direct routes into Winchester, the significance of Priors Dean Road would be increased.

This does not take into account other impediments such as road width, local street activity or traffic calming, which can influence choice of route.

Andover Road and Stockbridge Road would also be affected, says ADAM.

It predicts an eight per cent increase in potential movement along the eastern end of Harestock Road.

Mr Brine’s comments were made as Hampshire County Council is working on its Winchester Movement Strategy, an analysis of how people could get around the city.

It is considered a vital tool in the decision-making over schemes such as Station Approach and Silver Hill 2.

  • Write to letters@hampshirechronicle.co.uk.