RESIDENTS have raised concerns over roadworks which are set to overrun by three months.

The road closure in New Milton has been extended for three months due to gas works carried out by SGN, that were first scheduled to finish in three to four weeks.

Following a recent public drop-in-meeting about upcoming three-month closure of the main road through Bashley Common for major gas works, SGN informed the public they will start work on January 6 and the project is expected to finish at the end of March 2025.

The B3058 Bashley Common Road will be fully shut between the cattle grid at the Rising Sun pub and the Ossemsley South Drive junction. 

MBE and freeman of New Milton, Sammy Miller, also attended the meeting and raised concerns and fear regarding the closure as it will affect the business and residents living there, paralysing New Milton town.

Mr Miller said: “I asked if there would be any penalty if the works were not completed in three months, but SGN of course refused to commit to this.

(Image: Freeman Sammy Miller, New Milton. Credit: Sammy Miller)

“Furthermore, they did not seem to see the financial sense in upping the manpower and finishing the job quickly to avoid having to pay serious compensation in the future to businesses affected by the road closure.”

Mr Miller further says that the work could be finished in two to three weeks and also could be done during night time hours to minimise the disruption.

He also wrote to SGN proposing measures to ensure the work was carried out “as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible”.

(Image: Road Closure. Credit: Bournemouth Echo)

Bradley Barlow, spokesperson for gas distribution company SGN said: “We recently held a drop in to hear the comments and concerns from the local community which we’ve taken on board ahead of our project starting.

"Businesses will remain open as usual throughout our work.

“Access for residents and businesses located within the closure area will be maintained via the southern end of the closure (New Road).

"As we progress along the road, our temporary road closure will move and access for residents will change, which will be communicated by our on-site team.”

He added that work involves excavations in the road and it would be unsafe to reopen the road at the end of each working day, meaning the road closure needs to remain in place throughout our project. SGN will try to reopen the road as soon as it is safe to do so.