The journey so far 

The creation of the M3 in the early 90s, brutally cut through Twyford Down, creating a devastating and lasting scar on the landscape. Our nature reserve at St Catherine’s Hill was compromised, vital wildlife corridors were severed, and our natural environment has been slowly suffocated by the development and industrial sprawl facilitated by this scheme. 

Twyford Down was one of the most protected habitats in Southern England, a rich site of ecological importance with 6 species of rare orchid and the threatened chalk hill butterfly. Yet the M3 construction destroyed two Sites of Scientific Special Interest (SSSI), two scheduled ancient monuments and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 

The damage has never been adequately addressed and is now at risk of being compounded.  

What is happening now? 

The preferred route for the new Junction 9 of the M3 would see more important space for wildlife lost. The plans would cut through parts of the South Downs National Park and destroy irreplaceable habitats for wildlife and further degrading the wildlife corridors locally. 

The route would clip our own nature reserve at Winnall Moors, a vital sanctuary for wildlife in the heart of Winchester city.  

Beyond the direct loss of land, the current proposal would see further pressure on the internationally important chalk stream habitat of the River Itchen, which not only supports a host of incredible species such as kingfishers, otters and trout, but also provides a vital water source for the local population. 

The current proposals are shockingly weak when it comes to mitigating and restoring the ecological damage that will be done by this scheme and the historical severance of the landscape.  

We cannot keep squeezing nature into smaller and more isolated pockets. We cannot keep making space for more cars and pursuing development at the expense of wildlife and our precious natural resources. 

What needs to happen? 

Highways England must now deal with the legacy of damage from previous schemes and ensure that there is real and tangible net gain for nature. Nothing short of major investment in nature’s recovery and decarbonisation is now acceptable. 

Any proposed scheme must include: 

• Large scale habitat creation. Significant new areas of chalk downland could be restored, utilising chalk excavated during construction. 

• Restoration of woodland, trees and hedgerows in surrounding areas, helping to improve air quality. 

• A green bridge across the motorway, re-uniting the severed down of St Catherine’s Hill and the ‘dongas’ and establishing a proper gateway to the South Downs National Park. 

• A commitment to investing in sustainable transport for the future, improving public transport. 

Help us stand up for nature in Winchester 

By joining together to respond to the Junction 9 proposals, our voices can be much more influential than on our own. 

To help make it simple and straightforward for your objection to be heard, we have put the consultation link below along with template suggestions for certain questions. Feel free to use our responses and/or add your own comments. Section D is the most important one, since it deals with environmental objections and their plans for mitigation.  

Submit your objection to the M3-Junction 9 consultation 

Guidance for responding to the consultation

Question D1. To what extent do you agree or disagree with how we are considering the environmental impacts of the Proposed Scheme? (tick one only)  

Answer to D1: Strongly disagree 

Question D2. Please let us know the reasons for your response to D1 and any other views you have on the environmental impacts set out in the Preliminary Environmental Information Report or our public consultation brochure. 

Answer to D2: 

The creation of the M3 in the early 1990s cut through Twyford Down, creating a lasting scar on the landscape through one of the most protected habitats in Southern England. Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust’s nature reserve at St Catherine’s Hill was compromised, vital wildlife corridors were severed and the construction damaged two Sites of Scientific Special Interest (SSSI), two scheduled ancient monuments and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 

The damage has never been adequately addressed and is now at risk of being compounded since these preferred proposals for the new Junction 9 plans would see yet more important space for wildlife lost. These plans would cut through parts of the South Downs National Park and destroy irreplaceable habitats for wildlife and further degrade the wildlife corridors locally. 

In addition, the plans to potentially compulsory purchase a strip of Winnall Moors Nature Reserve, a Site of Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), are completely inappropriate. Winnall Moors is a vital wildlife-rich sanctuary for wildlife in the heart of Winchester city. The current proposals would cut connectivity between the nature reserve and the wider ecological network, as well as potentially impacting the ability of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust to manage the nature reserve. 

Question D3. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the measures we’ve proposed in our Preliminary Environmental Mitigation Design Plan?   

Answer to D3: Strongly disagree 

Question D4. Please let us know the reasons for your response to D3 and any other views you have on our approach to reducing the environmental impacts of the Proposed Scheme? 

Answer to D4:  

Overall, the current proposals are shockingly weak when it comes to mitigating and restoring the ecological damage done by this scheme and the historical severance of the landscape.  

The Mitigation Design Plan contains very little detail on the mitigation and focuses solely on on-site enhancements. Taking into account the historical severance of the ecological network and landscape, I urge Highways England to right the historical wrongs and make this scheme an exemplar of environmental mitigation and net gain, aiming for at least 20% biodiversity net gain.  

As part of this, I would like to see large scale habitat creation and the restoration of woodland, trees and hedgerows in surrounding areas, helping to improve air quality. This should be both onsite and off-site to make amends for the historic damage done. 

The development of the M3 has led to a chain of compounding damage and development, forcing wildlife into smaller and smaller pockets. I want Highways England to look beyond mitigation, to compensate for the legacy of damage. 

I want to see a green bridge installed across the M3, reconnecting the people and wildlife of Winchester to the South Downs National Park and standing as a clear commitment to nature’s recovery in modern transport development. 

Question H1. Do you have any other comments about the Proposed Scheme? 

Answer to H1: 

Road building and development cannot come at the expense of the value and importance of our natural world. As the seminal government ‘Dasgupta Review’ says, ‘Nature is therefore an asset, just as produced capital (roads, buildings and factories).’ It would make no sense for the M3 to be severed at Junction 9, cutting off communities and transport links. In the same way, we can no longer tolerate the severed eco-system at Junction 9, preventing wildlife from growing, moving, and adapting to pressures.  

Highways England must now deal with the legacy of damage from previous schemes and ensure that there is real and tangible net gain for nature. Nothing short of major investment in nature’s recovery is now acceptable. 

Submit your response now! 

The Trust’s full response to Highways England’s M3 Junction 9 proposal can be found here