A £34m transport scheme in Hampshire has moved a step closer.

The government has given the go-ahead for the Stubbington bypass near Fareham after it was delayed due to a local resident’s objection.

As reported, a public inquiry into the project was held last year after a resident raised concerns over the scheme.

But now Hampshire County Council (HCC) which is responsible for the project, said the Secretary of State for Transport rejected the challenges raised.

The authority added that the announcement will now enable the county council to bring forward the delivery of the scheme.

But Sean Woodward, county councillor and  leader of Fareham Borough Council, said: “The delay will undoubtedly increase the cost by at least £1m. We have probably have to go back to the Department of Transport for the extra money. Now we can go ahead and implement the last piece of access to the Fareham and Gosport startegy we tried to put in place in 2013.”

Cllr Woodward said he was delighted with the lates news and said he believes work on the scheme could start by the end of this year and said it will take two years to complete.

“It should cause minimal disruption because it is off road,”he added.

The proposal includes the construction of a new single carriageway road between the B3354 Titchfield Road and Gosport Road, passing to the north and east of Stubbington, the widening of Titchfield Road and  improvements to the A27 Titchfield Gyratory.

Civic chiefs said the bypass will divert traffic around the outskirts of Stubbington and reduce journey time and peak hour congestion onto and off the Gosport peninsula as well as supporting long-term plans for regeneration and economic development, including improved access to the Enterprise Zone.

As reported, the county council opened negotiations with landowners to secure all the necessary land at the same time as an application was made for a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) and a Side Road Order (SRO) 2018.

But both orders were challenged by a local resident, sparking a  opublic inquiry.

On Monday HCC was told the Secretary of State for Transport confirmed the inspector’s recommendation on the outcome of the public inquiry, concluding that there is a compelling case for confirming the orders made.

On twitter Caroline Dinenage, MP for Gosport, Stubbington, Lee-on-the-Solent and Hill Head, welcomed the news and said: “Fantastic news the Transport Secretary has confirmed that the Stubbington Bypass will go ahead! I am delighted that this critical road improvement project will be delivered.”