A CONSTRUCTION company working for Hampshire County Council has gone into administration, bringing projects across the county to a halt for “several weeks”.

Lockhams Construction, based in Shedfield, near Bishop’s Waltham, has entered administration, with the family-run civil engineering business given contracts by the county authority as recently as last October.

That scheme was to carry out the Abbotswood Accessibility Improvement project in Romsey, but that has now been left half-done having been scheduled to finish in spring of this year.

Nearby residents have taken to social media to vent their annoyance at the state the site has been left in, with the council warning it could be like that for several weeks although an interim contractor has been appointed.

The project included widening the paths in Abbotswood and opening the footway from the Cupernham schools to Woodley Lane.

One resident said: “No footpath to use anymore, just a muddy disaster zone.”

Another added: “That’s a shame. I like the bits they have finished, it’s a great improvement.”

A letter to residents from Hampshire County Council said: “This has resulted in operations on site being temporarily suspended. Arrangements are being made to have the outstanding works undertaken by another contractor and this process may take several weeks to resolve. Further updates will be provided in due course.”

Romsey councillor Mark Cooper said: “The local residents have had to content with much mud and disruption for far too long already and I urge the county to put pressure on the Abbotswood Consortium to appoint replacement contractors as soon as possible, in days, not weeks.”

Cllr Rob Humby said: “In the interim, we have made arrangements with another contractor, Colas Ltd, to visit the site early next week to complete some minor elements of work and to ensure the area is made safe until alternative arrangements are in place.”