Hampshire County Council and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council are working on the transport strategy for Basingstoke, with on-going research that will form an outline plan in the spring.

This will include a report into a new mass rapid transit system as well as further consideration to a western by-pass and more cycle and walking routes.

The transport strategy is also likely to include a plan to use land next to junction 7 of the M3 for a park and ride and transport hub which would link to a new hospital and warehouse facilities in the town.

A council report said that the plan is: “intended to facilitate a step change in the provision of public transport in the town, with dedicated road space and priority measures at key junctions to provide for shorter and more punctual journeys, formed around a network of routes through the town”.

“It is envisaged that these would serve key development sites such as the Leisure Park and Manydown and make use of the A30 and A33.”

Currently, HCC are studying a number of criteria that will shape the system, including routes, interchange requirements, service frequency and ways of accommodating the facilities associated with it, according to the Basingstoke Gazette.

A quality-led contract, a new franchise and profit sharing agreements could be brought in to stop private companies, such as Stagecoach, from benefitting from council investment, he added.

A western by-pass, linking junction 7 and the hospital with the A339, will also be considered, whilst reports on potential upgrades to the A339 between the town and Newbury, and the A33 from Basingstoke to Reading, are also set to be considered.