‘A kick in the teeth’: Traders’ fears over planned new year closure of stretch of the B3058 Bashley Common Road through Bashley for SGN gas main and service replacement works

AN “extremely worried” convenience store co-owner believes closing a main road through Bashley for gas works will be “a disaster”.

Following setbacks, gas distributor SGN confirmed the B3058 Bashley Common Road will shut between the cattle grid by the Rising Sun pub and the Ossemsley South Drive junction in the new year.

Hampshire County Council approved a permit for the works from 6th January to 28th March 2025, having refused September and October starts due to other nearby works.

As reported in the A&T, Bashley Village Stores and neighbouring businesses called on New Milton councillors to help stop the autumn/winter closure.

Dennis Sparks, who runs the shop with his wife Carol, said it would leave them with thousands of pounds of unsold seasonal stock.

The town council supported calls for temporary traffic light control instead of a full closure.

SGN preferred the full closure option, citing the safety of its workforce, as well as residents entering and exiting properties.

It also said it was the quicker option – an estimated eight to 10 weeks, against 16 weeks.

Mr Sparks was just as concerned about the confirmed 2025 works schedule’s impact.

“You can’t just cut people off and expect there to be no consequences,” he fumed.

“They do roadworks like this all round the bloody world with traffic light control and the contractors manage to do the work safely.”

SGN’s promise to include signage telling road users businesses remain open and how to access them did not reassure him.

“If people can’t drive through, they’re not going to drive up here, turn around and come back – it’s just not going to happen,” he continued.

“I don’t think they’re giving due consideration to anybody. They just think, ‘We’re a big utility company that can do whatever we want and to hell with anyone else’.”

Mr Sparks had “absolutely no faith” in SGN’s statement that contractors will work 7am to 7pm Monday to Saturday. It also said work may be carried out on some additional Sundays.

Paul Follet, who owns 60-year-old family-run Bashley Plant Centre, branded the road closure a “kick in the teeth” for village businesses.

“You’d think that if they’re going to close one of the main roads, they might tell people – at least the businesses on the road,” he said.

“We have all the young plants due to come in in February/March time. They’ll have to come around to come in. It’s a headache I can do without.”

Debbie Loader, who co-directs Loaders Garage with husband Matt, had expressed fears to the town council that the 76-year-old family business faced a “devastating” £1m loss in takings.

A previous two-and-a-half-day road closure for burst sewer repairs lost it around £15,000.

But the couple were more philosophical about the January to March schedule.

“It affects us whatever time of year, so it’s not ideal but is better than having it with no notice and before Christmas,” Mrs Loader told the A&T.

“The thing is now making sure people know how to get to us.”

The Loaders have arranged for their fuel delivery tankers to approach from the Bashley roundabout.

Mr Loader added: “We’re contracted to sell a certain volume of fuel in our costs, but we have a bit of wriggle room around that.

“It’s like riding it through Covid. We’ll get by. We’ll still be here come April – it’s just mildly irritating.”

SGN spokesperson Bradley Barlow said contractors would replace an old metal pipes gas main and services with new plastic pipes.

“The existing pipes have a history of leaks and this is essential work to provide a permanent solution,” he explained.

“Due to the location of the main in the road and to ensure we are working within mandatory safe working distance regulations, we'll need to temporarily close the road from the cattle grid past the Rising Sun pub to the junction of Ossemsley South Drive.

“A signed diversion will be in place for road users with no through vehicle access between closure junctions.

“Access to all properties and businesses will be maintained from the southern end of the closure.”

SGN promises to monitor surrounding routes and use deterrents in the event of rat-running.

“We know the disruption this road closure may cause and we've explored all other options when planning this work,” Mr Barlow continued.

“Our team will be doing all they can to complete this work as quickly and safely as possible.”