Hordle roadworks set to continue until March, SGN confirms

LONG-RUNNING roadworks in Hordle which were due to be completed in February will now continue until until March, it has been confirmed.

As reported in the A&T, businesses in the area said they have been greatly affected by the work on Ashley Lane, with some customers choosing to shop elsewhere to avoid the traffic jams.

The work began in August, with Southern Gas Networks (SGN) initially making repairs to a gas main.

The company later decided to replace the existing metal pipe with a plastic version which has an 80-year lifespan.

It said then it would be finished by February but that has now been extended until March after problems with contractors, despite claims on social media it could actually continue until April.

A leaked email thought to be from an SGN employee was posted on social media, saying: "I have had to change the contractor teams [as] the previous team weren't productive enough.

"We will be looking at completion around Easter for all the works to be complete."

The A&T put the message to an SGN spokesperson who said: "We have changed contractors – however, our progress has been slow due to the adverse weather.

"We expect the [traffic] lights to be in place three weeks longer than originally anticipated, until March 2023.

"We’re doing everything we can to complete this work as quickly and safely as possible and would like to thank the Hordle community for your continued understanding and patience."