HAMPSHIRE’S transport chief has raised the possibility that a major road set to close as part of development could be saved.

Councillor Rob Humby said that the county council would be prepared to review the future of Andover Road in Winchester, following the launch of the consultation over the Winchester Movement Strategy.

It comes after campaigners lobbying to keep the route, which takes traffic into and out of the city centre to the north, urged residents to share their views via the Winchester Movement Strategy consultation, which will look at improve the way traffic flows around the city.

The planned closure of Andover Road was announced as part of the Barton Farm housing development, also known as Kings Barton. The scheme will see around 2,000 homes built on farmland on the northern edge of Winchester by 2025-26, with 800 earmarked for social housing.

Cllr Humby, executive member for environment and transport at Hampshire County Council, said: “The closure of Andover Road forms part of the planning permission granted to the Barton Farm development by the local planning authority, Winchester City Council.

“The planning position was fixed some time ago as the Barton Farm development was considered through the planning system, reflecting the circumstances at the time, and was agreed with the county council as Highway Authority.

“We would be prepared to review the role and function of Andover Road for the future, particularly in the context of any future local plan review, but this is dependent on the city council changing the existing planning position in respect of the Barton Farm development.”

Calling on residents to take part in the consultation, a WCC spokesman said: “Closing this road is a planning condition for the Kings Barton development so we do have to bear in mind that any changes would require a revised planning application from HCC and the agreement of the developer.”

As previously reported, Paul Twelftree, founder of the Save the Andover Road (Star) campaign, said that he now has the backing of a number of Winchester’s Conservative councillors, including city council leader Caroline Horrill and county councillor Jan Warwick.

In 2015, the campaign to keep the route open saw more than 120 people rally to send a message to transport chiefs, along with a 350-strong petition.