New Milton road closures spark worries over business

Sammy Miller, a championship-winning motorcyclist who has set up his own motorcycle museum in the town, is rallying against SGN's plan to shut the main road through Bashley to replace a gas main.

The closure of Bashley Common Road will take place between January 6 to March 28.

Mr Miller argues the proposed closure will directly threaten the economic stability of the region by disrupting essential traffic flow.

He attended a consultation drop-in session where it was revealed there is a significant possibility of an ‘extended closure’ due to the absence of contractual penalties or targets for early or late completion of the works.

(Image: Sammy Miller, Credit: Sammy Miller Museum)

Mr Miller said: “This lack of accountability poses an unacceptable risk to the local economy.”

He raised concerns about financial loss to business, lack of contractor accountability, consultation deficiency and uncertainty of closure duration.

Mr Miller has requested an injunction to postpone the commencement of the proposed works.

Bashley councillor John Adams addressed the concerns of residents and has asked SGN to have weekly meetings with the town council to provide an update on progress.

He also said when the town council was informed about the emergency pipe replacement, it was in support to have traffic lights on one lane which would be open throughout the work.

However, after discussing this with SGN, it could not be done on health and safety grounds.

(Image: Councillor John Adams, Bashley, New Milton) Councillor Adams said: "The worry about shortcuts for cars using private roads, lorries needing to deliver goods to premises, access for goods and services, adequate signage, etc were discussed and noted by the contractors.

"Businesses were informed of a financial compensation scheme that could be applied for by them applying to SGN."

Councillor Adams added: "It is a great worry to Bashley and New Milton, as it is a major scheme that will take so long- but it is replacing a dangerous essential gas main pipe that supplies a huge area.

"There is no choice- Hampshire County Council has authorised that this Red Alert work should take place on Health and Safety Grounds as soon as possible."

Sue Larking, chairman New Milton Residents' Association (NMRA) said: “There is no doubt that such a long complete closure will be annoying for the residents of Bashley who will be affected by it."

Ms Larking said: “Most people in Bashley are accepting of the fact that this is essential work on the infrastructure supplying their homes and as the need for it has reached a serious level to maintain safety, although they wish it didn’t have to happen, they do understand the need for it.

“I have read that some wish for stronger assurances re. time limits and compensation, but I suspect that it is almost impossible to give those until they have done more detailed inspections and seen the nature of the problems.”

(Image: Credit: Bournemouth Echo)

Regarding these issues, SGN said an engineering team will be on site to ensure they are doing everything they can to keep to this timescale.

Bradley Barlow, SGN communications officer, said: “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.”

SGN did not comment on the absence of contractual penalties.