M3 - Trust Annual Report 1972
In the last Annual Report for 1971, the greater part was taken up by the M3 proposals. At the time of going to press this year the Minister's decision has still to be announced, and there is reliable information that the public's reaction to the Inspector's Report was more critical than is usually the case.
Enquiries reaching the Trust show that the opposition to the proposal is in no way diminished. The most likely explanation of the delay would seem to be that a decision will not be made until the next section from Compton to Southampton is settled. It would plainly not be sensible to reject the Popham to Compton section and then to proceed with the Compton Southampton Inquiry. On the other hand, if the Minister had announced that the road should go ahead in the northern section, it would appear to put pressure on the acceptance of the southern part before the Inquiry opened. One decision on the whole preferred route from Popham to Southampton would appear to be the most likely.