Five-month roadworks to begin after postponement

Improvements are to be made to the A322 northbound carriageway junction with the M3 in Lightwater

Works that will close a key road in Surrey for more than five months are to begin after the scheduled start date was postponed.

A series of improvements are to be made to the A322 northbound carriageway junction with the M3 in Lightwater.

The road was due to be closed on Monday, but it was delayed after public concern over perceived poor communication and traffic disruption.

After talks with developers, councillors and MPs, contractor Skanska said in a letter to residents it now better understood the community's priorities.

It was reviewing suggestions, including a dedicated left turn lane for traffic joining the M3 and yellow box markings on the roundabout to cut congestion, it said.

The company said it was discussing with Surrey County Council and National Highways whether these could be incorporated.

According to the letter, the scheme will add a third northbound lane approaching the roundabout from Lightwater, move a pedestrian crossing to a safer location and include full resurfacing.

During construction, traffic will be reduced to one northbound lane, it said.

Overnight closures are expected in January and February 2026, with traffic management to be lifted over Christmas.

'Rushed and poorly communicated'

Surrey Heath MP Al Pinkerton said Skanska, the council and National Highways were working for the scheme to deliver maximum benefit.

He said the process had been "rushed and poorly communicated" and that the council still needed to consider the impact of the works on schools, buses, emergency routes and other roads.

It's hoped the improvements will help address the growth of Mindenhurst village, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The council said its role was to engage with the Mindenhurst developer to agree dates and traffic management for the works.

"These works are designed to increase the road's capacity leading up to the M3 junction three roundabout," it said.

"Whilst during this process we also recommend and place conditions on customer engagement and communication, it is the developer or their contractor's responsibility to carry out adequate communications with all stakeholders who may be affected by their works."