A new Hampshire County Council scheme to see road works disruption reduced has been met with backlash.

The plan would include charging developers and utilities a daily fee for the duration of road works, including any delays, with different charges applied depending on the type of work being undertaken and how disruptive those works will be to the public.

HCC says that a proportion of this income - expected to be around 50 percent - could be reinvested back into highway maintenance for day-to-day repairs, including potholes. 

But Allington Nursery and Garden Centre owner Steve Goodridge, who has been plagued by months of road works affecting his business, says he thinks the scheme will make ‘zero difference’.

He said: “It my opinion that these works will have little impact on drivers, residents and businesses affected by road works.

“What we need from the council is a reimbursement for any loss of earnings to local businesses

“One week we only had £10 put in our till due to the impact of road works.”

Allington Nursery and Garden Centre owner Steve Goodridge Allington Nursery and Garden Centre owner Steve Goodridge (Image: NQ) Allington Lane was plagued with Southern Water works last year as they worked to connect the main sewer to the housing development at One Horton Heath, which had a big impact on Steve’s takings.

Steve added: “I do agree with HCC that road works should not be taking place during peak times when the roads are busy.

“I think that more works should be undertaken during the night.”

Councillor Lulu Bowerman, the County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Waste, said: “We know that being stuck in traffic jams as a result of roadworks is a real headache for road users.

“Whilst roadworks and temporary closures are a necessity to allow organisations, including our own, to undertake repairs safely, install new equipment, or respond to an emergency, people are rightly annoyed when work overruns with seemingly no consequence.

“I’m pleased to give the green light to the development of proposals that will provide a financial incentive to those needing to carry out roadworks on busier parts of the highway network to work more efficiently, including by operating outside of peak times and for shorter periods wherever possible.

“In other places where similar schemes have been adopted, evidence shows they have been successful in reducing queues and delays, whilst also raising additional money for initiatives to further drive down disruption.”