Ripley Parish Council has now received a response from the Department for Transport following Ripley Parish Council’s letter on 24th June 2026 concerning the omission of the proposed Burntcommon slip-road improvements from Road Investment Strategy 3.
The Department has confirmed that the A3/A247 Ripley South scheme was assessed during the previous Road Investment Strategy period. Although the assessment found that the proposals would provide benefits across a number of measures, the scheme was not prioritised because of wider affordability pressures within the national roads programme.
The proposed improvements were previously included in a pipeline of potential future major enhancements to the strategic road network. However, this only committed funding for the development and assessment of the scheme, rather than its eventual construction.
The Government has stated that its current approach is to concentrate on a smaller number of schemes which it believes have a greater certainty of being delivered during the next investment period, beyond 2031. No funding, timetable or commitment has been provided for the Burntcommon scheme.
This is concerning because the proposed slip-road improvements have long been regarded as an important part of the infrastructure required to manage traffic arising from major development in the area, including Wisley Airfield, Garlick’s Arch and other planned or emerging sites.
The Department’s response does not explain what alternative highway improvements will be provided if the Burntcommon scheme does not proceed, nor how the cumulative traffic effects of further housing growth will be managed through Ripley, Send, Send Marsh and Burntcommon.
A copy of the Department for Transport’s response can be viewed below.