A ‘damaging circus act’ - Motorcycling legend Sammy Miller rallies against SGN plan to shut main road through Bashley for three months to replace gas main

A LOCAL motorcycling legend threatened to take legal action as he slammed the impending three-month closure of the main road through Bashley for major gas works.

Sammy Miller has prepared an injunction calling for a halt to the planned SGN project on the B3058 Bashley Common Road, branding it a “damaging circus act”.

As reported in the A&T, there are fears the full closure between the Rising Sun pub and the Ossemsley South Drive junction will harm trade.

The closure – expected to run for the duration of the 6th January to 28th March 2025 permit secured from Hampshire County Council – was previously labeled “a kick in the teeth” for traders.

Recently appointed New Milton honorary freeman Mr Miller also fears his renowned motorcycle museum on nearby Bashley Cross Road will be affected.

He was among around 70 residents and traders at a recent drop-in session hosted by SGN at St John the Baptist Church.

Calling the meeting an “insult”, he thanked “so many people” for responding to his call for a mass turnout for its last hour.

“I fear for the futures of New Milton town and Bashley village,” he told the A&T.

“SGN seem to have no interest in trying to mitigate against the economic losses that will be incurred by businesses in the area, who collectively generate approximately £500,000 in turnover each week.”

Mr Miller was also angered by lack of commitment to a timeframe, or any penalties or targets for contractors to ensure swift completion.

“This means the works could last indefinitely which clearly poses an unacceptable risk to the local economy,” he added.

In a letter calling for New Forest West MP Sir Desmond Swayne and the town council’s help to ensure SGN acts in the community’s best interests, Mr Miller outlined measures he believed would guarantee the work’s completion in two to three weeks.

He argued it should be done during night hours to minimise disruption.

The town council previously supported traders’ calls for temporary traffic light control, but SGN said the full closure was needed for contractors and residents’ safety.

Mr Miller’s letter concluded: “SGN’s poor handling of this project cannot be allowed to paralyse New Milton.

“If this goes ahead and the road closes for three months, then Bashley village in its current form may not survive.”

His draft injunction request calls for postponement to identify mitigation measures to reduce the closure period, including phased work or temporary access.

It also calls for the contractor incentives or penalties, and “thorough and transparent” discussions with all affected parties to address concerns and minimise financial impact.

SGN spokesperson Bradley Barlow said the company had taken on board the comments raised by the drop-in session’s attendees.

“Our essential work to upgrade our gas network in Bashley Common Road will begin on Monday 6th January 2025 and is expected to finish at the end of March 2025,” he explained.

“Our engineering team will be on site to ensure we’re doing everything we can to keep to this timescale.

“Businesses will remain open as usual throughout our work and details on claiming compensation for loss of earnings have been passed on to businesses directly impacted by our project.”

Mr Barlow reiterated that home and business access will be maintained via the closure’s southern end (New Road), with the closure moving as works progress along the road.

He continued: “Our work involves excavations in the road and it would be unsafe to reopen the road at the end of each working day, meaning the temporary road closure needs to remain in place throughout our project. We will reopen the road as soon as it is safe to do so.”