Eastleigh MP Mims Davies has backed a petition by local activists demanding the Chickenhall Link Road is built.
Mims met with Councillor Gin Tidridge, the petition’s coordinator from Bishopstoke Parish Council, yesterday to give her support to pressure group Action Against Destructive Development (ADD) in its campaign to “Get The Chickenhall Lane Link Road Moving” which has been supported by over 400 local residents.
The petition is asking the leaders of Eastleigh Borough Council, the Solent LEP and Hampshire County Council, as well as the Chancellor and Ministry for Transport, to back Mims’s continuing call for this long required road to be built.
Mims held a summit earlier in the year in Westminster with all the interested parties to get this item higher on the agenda. It was then included in the former Chancellor’s Budget book and Mims has an upcoming meeting with the new Chief Secretary to the Treasury to advance this much needed piece of infrastructure.
“There is mounting frustration from residents there is too much talk about this vital piece of infrastructure and not enough action after all these years. Since being elected I have seen the Botley Bypass move forward to consultation stage through my work and I want the same for Eastleigh in the form of the Chickenhall Link Road” said Mims.
“I understand the scheme must go through refining and development to protect our countryside and reflect the changes at Southampton Airport. The Chickenhall Link Road must gain the funds it needs but there is a worry, which I share, that there must be more cohesive action and so I have backed this petition.
“In the coming weeks I will be again banging on some doors both at Westminster and back here in Hampshire to ensure there is focus on the task in hand. We must ease the pollution and make people’s journeys around Eastleigh better but to do this we must have a clear plan to take to the Treasury and the much needed Local Plan to back this up.
“I understand why ADD want the Link Road link to the M27 as it will unlock brownfield sites for business and perhaps broader range of residential development sites. This would have significant potential to address the air quality management area in Eastleigh town centre, relieve congestion on the Bishopstoke Road and significantly boost the economy. It would create the opportunity to find future more suitable areas for future housing and employment opportunities which the Borough must get a better grip on.”