Businesses warn full closure of B3058 Bashley Common Road in Bashley for SGN gas works would be ‘devastating’ for their trade

SHUTTING a main road through Bashley for gas works would be “devastating”, businesses have warned.

Traders fearing for their livelihoods urged New Milton councillors to help stop SGN fully closing the B3058 Bashley Common Road, from the Rising Sun pub to the Ossemsley South Drive junction, to replace mains.

This is the gas distribution company’s preferred option for the September project – estimated to last eight to 10 weeks – and it has claimed it will be the safest.

But the businesses, including Bashley Village Stores, Loaders Garage and Bashley Plant Centre want the second option.

This would keep the road flowing with temporary traffic lights, although SGN warned this could last 16 weeks.

It also said it could be dangerous for residents entering and exiting properties as they would not see the changing lights.

Dennis Sparks, who runs Bashley Village Stores with his wife Carol, told a recent full town council meeting they had already ordered in their seasonal stock.

“If there is no through traffic, we’ll be sitting on thousands of pounds of seasonal stock we can’t shift,” he said.

“I’m sure it will be the same for others, like Redcliffe [garden centre].”

Bashley Plant Centre owner Paul Follett pointed out the need for deliveries to the site, particularly by articulated lorries.

The impact of a recent two-and-a-half-day road closure due to a burst sewer was highlighted by Debbie Loader, one of the directors at Loaders Garage.

She explained that during this period the family-run fuel station lost around £15,000 in takings.

“You escalate that by 10 weeks and you’re talking a million pounds, and for us that would be devastating,” she said.

“People don’t tend to go out of their way – they would go somewhere else. They plan their routes.

“We’d rather suffer three months of a traffic lights system. Otherwise, we might just as well shut for the whole of the autumn and winter.”

The traders’ arguments led the town council to change its stance in their favour, having previously discussed supporting the road closure option.

Cllr John Adams said: “I think it’s a no-brainer. If you close that road, you’re closing the whole village.

“It is very important. It’s the road coming in from the north to the south. We need to tell Hampshire [County Council] that it has to have traffic lights.”

Agreeing, Cllr Alan O’Sullivan called the full closure proposal “ridiculous”, adding: “How can you block off all the businesses?”

Cllr Steve Clarke slammed the fact the town council was only informed of the potential closure by SGN in late July, having not heard from HCC.

He also criticised the lack of information provided about what the work would involve, and whether parties including bus services and schools had been informed.

“If we’re going to make a decision in the interests of our residents, we have to have all the information,” he said.

“The information we’ve received is rubbish.”

He called for a strong letter to be written to HCC and SGN, emphasising these points.

Councillors voted unanimously to recommend the traffic lights option be adopted.

SGN spokesperson Bradley Barlow told the A&T the “essential works” would involve replacing old metal gas mains with new plastic pipes.

“Replacing the gas main means we can provide a permanent solution to disruptive emergency repairs to this section of our gas network and will ensure the local community continues to receive a safe and efficient gas supply,” he explained.

“We are working closely with all key stakeholders to plan these works with minimal impact on the local community while making sure we comply with all safety requirements and legislations.

“A temporary road closure is among the options for traffic management being considered.

“Please be assured that access to properties and businesses will be maintained.”

Mr Barlow promised more details about the work and traffic management would be shared once a decision was finalised.