Gas firm SGN hosting drop-in session as impending full closure of Bashley Common Road for major works sparks trade fears

A PUBLIC drop-in is being held amid fears an upcoming three-month closure of the main road through Bashley for major gas works will damage trade.

The B3058 Bashley Common Road will be fully shut in the new year between the cattle grid at the Rising Sun pub and the Ossemsley South Drive junction while SGN replaces a main .

As reported in the A&T, this was branded a “kick in the teeth” for village businesses.

New Milton town councillors previously backed traders’ calls for temporary traffic lights to minimise the disruption.

But, securing a 6th January to 28th March permit from Hampshire County Council, SGN said the full closure was for the safety of its contactors, as well as residents using driveways.

Promoted as an event to help residents understand the project, the drop-in session will take place at St John the Baptist Church on St John’s Road from 2.30pm to 7pm on Tuesday 3rd December.

But local motorcycling legend and recently appointed New Milton honorary freeman, urged people to attend in force at 6pm to make their voices heard.

He feared that otherwise the meeting’s “drop-in” nature would deplete the effectiveness of any objections made.

Mr Miller, whose renowned motorcycle museum is on nearby Bashley Cross Road, wrote to SGN proposing measures to ensure the work was carried out “as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible”.

Among these was including a penalty clause in the contract if the work is not completed in time.

Calling for a detailed comparison of the job’s cost if completed in different time frames, he estimated around £500,000 in lost revenue per week.

Referring to the drop-in, he argued it did “not convey the serious nature of just how devastating an effect these closures will have on our community”.

He added: “It should be a proper meeting with a set time frame of 5pm to 7pm which will decide the future of New Milton and Bashley.

“SGN should be confirming which top director they will be sending to answer questions from the businesspeople of New Milton or Bashley whose businesses will be severely impacted by the decisions made.”

SGN said access to all properties and businesses will be maintained from the southern end of the closure, with signs stating businesses remained open.

But this did not convince Dennis Sparks, who runs Bashley Village Stores with his wife Carol.

He said the closure will be “a disaster”, previously telling the A&T: “You can’t just cut people off and expect there to be no consequences.”

SGN said bus routes along Bashley Common Road will be affected.

A spokesperson said: “We appreciate this closure will be disruptive for the community, please be assured we have explored all other traffic management measures with a closure the only safe option.”