Pair escape serious injury after car rolls on B3055 Arnewood Bridge Road in Sway

TWO people escaped serious injury after a car rolled on a road through Sway weeks after a senior councillor warned there could be an accident from people using it to avoid the A35 closure at Holmsley bridge.

The incident happened around 8.15pm on Friday on the B3055 Arnewood Bridge Road, and firefighters from New Milton stabilised the vehicle before releasing the casualties.

Both were assessed by paramedics, but neither needed hospital treatment.

As reported in the A&T, drivers have switched to using the B3055, which includes Sway Road, while the busy A35 and also the C10 are shut until 8th April as Hampshire County Council replaces Holmsley bridge in a £5.5m project.

Problems with the foundations have forced a longer closure than expected.

Earlier this month, New Milton councillor Steve Clarke described the windy route between the town and Brockenhurst as "absolutely dangerous" and criticised HCC for not dealing with potholes.

He said earlier this month: “I’d like to publicly express my disappointment that the county council has gone ahead with the closures without repairing Sway Road in any way.

“I fear there will be a serious accident, especially with two-way traffic being increased. You cannot avoid the potholes."

Some of the bigger holes have been repaired in recent weeks.

An HCC spokesperson previously responded to Cllr Clarke: “The condition of all the diversion routes will be regularly and routinely monitored and any necessary works will be undertaken to ensure they remain in a safe and serviceable condition.”