A32 Road (England)
Route description
Despite its non-primary status, the road forms the main access to the town of Gosport. At rush-hour times, the road is often extremely congested (northbound in the morning rush, southbound in the evenings) as commuters head through central Fareham from the Gosport peninsula to the M27.
The main pinch-point is the 1-mile (1.6 km) long section of road between the Newgate Lane Flyover (junction B3334) and the Quay Street Roundabout in central Fareham where traffic delays often cause northbound tailbacks of 3 miles (4.8 km) at peak times. During the evening rush, traffic can at times back up to the M27 at Junction 11 and along the inside lane of the motorway.
There have for many years been plans to provide a light rail solution to the traffic problem by utilising the former Gosport to Fareham railway line but this was scrapped in 2005. Part of the former railway line has since been converted for "Eclipse" bus rapid transit routes.
The A32 is a popular route for motorcyclists, particularly at weekends; the cafe ( now Loomies, formerly a "Little Chef") where the A272 crosses the A32 at West Meon has become central meeting place for many groups of riders. The historic site of Fort Widley to the south is easily accessed from Wickham and is a popular route for motorcyclists.
Junction list
County | Location | mi | km | Destinations | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hampshire | Gosport | 0.0 | 0.0 | South Street (B3333) | Southern terminus adjacent to Gosport Fountain; continues as B3333 beyond point |
Fareham | 5.5 | 8.9 | ![]() | Southern terminus of A27 concurrency | |
5.8– 6.0 | 9.3– 9.7 | ![]() ![]() | Northern terminus of A27 concurrency | ||
7.3 | 11.7 | ![]() | Access only from M27 west to A32 north and from A32 south to M27 east; M27 junction 10 | ||
Wickham | 9.3 | 15.0 | ![]() | Information signed northbound only; eastern terminus of A334 | |
West Meon | 20.7 | 33.3 | ![]() | ||
Chawton | 29.1 | 46.8 | ![]() ![]() ![]() | Northern terminus | |
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi |
In popular culture
The A32 is referenced in a children's song.