‘Outrageous’ four-month gas works closure on Old Christchurch Road in Everton causing chaos for villagers

BUSINESSES and residents have hit out at three months of “outrageous” delays to gas works in Everton that have caused disruption for locals.

Southern Gas Networks closed Old Christchurch Road in July for repairs but, after a series of setbacks, the site was reportedly left abandoned for several weeks, complete with large holes.

One business affected was Everton Stores and Post Office, where husband-and-wife owners Barrie and Carole Morgan noticed trade drop around 10% during the first couple of weeks.

Mr Morgan attributed this to customers experiencing difficulty reaching it before word got around that they could use an alternative route. Trade then returned to near-normal levels.

“These are difficult times with the weather and prices going up,” he said.

“That there has been no progress with the gas works, it is just disgusting – it’s outrageous that no work seems to have been done in the last five weeks.”

Villagers heard engineers initially repaired one gas leak before finding another and then deciding to replace the entire line.

The work came “to a grinding halt”, Mr Morgan said, and questioned if Hampshire County Council’s highways department knew the road was still closed.

“Hampshire Highways recently came to sort out potholes on West Lane, but they had to abandon the project because so many cars were coming through using it as a cut-through,” he continued.

“It’s almost as if the gas company just abandoned the work.

“There are massive great holes in the road, which are almost turning into swimming pools with all the rain we’ve had.

“In the middle of it all there’s a digger and a dumper truck that have sat there for weeks, with nothing going on.”

Pointing out the store received no updates from SGN, Mr Morgan branded the situation an “absolute shambles”.

He added: “I’d just like to get some sort of notification from the gas company as to when the works will be completed and why they have taken so long, and for them to get the roads back to normal.”

Rachel Conway lives on Old Christchurch Road, and two of the large holes left by the contractors are on either side of her driveway.

Slamming a lack of activity or an response to queries for the past two months, Ms Conway told the A&T she was unable to get her car out of her drive this morning (Thursday) after strong winds from Storm Ciarán blew down barriers at the site.

This left the holes exposed, as well as the barriers covering the street.

“I can usually just about get into and out of my drive, but I have to drive along the pavement to get past the barriers,” she said.

“I rang them [SGN] this morning and someone came out and put the barriers back up, but when I asked them about what was happening with the work, they just said they hadn’t a clue.

“There is a trench outside my neighbour’s house that is almost overflowing and looks like a dirty swimming pool. It’s quite likely to flood.”

Ms Conway expressed her frustration at a breakdown in communication with SGN, with update letters every couple of weeks having stopped about two months ago.

Calling for answers and action, she commented: “God forbid if there was an emergency and a fire engine or ambulance needed to get through. They wouldn’t stand a chance.”

Everton & Lymore Social Club was not greatly affected, treasurer Harry Simpkin told the A&T, but said members were fed up.

“People are getting round it, but it is causing a lot of problems,” Mr Simpkin said.

“Really, they’re getting a bit impatient as nothing has been done about it for at least five weeks.

“The club received a letter from the gas company saying it would be finished within two weeks, but that was at least four weeks ago.

“They should have got it fixed by now, whatever the problem was.”

On Wednesday, SGN spokesperson Bradley Barlow told the A&T: “Unfortunately, we haven’t yet been able to complete final connections to our gas network in Old Christchurch Road due to a number of issues, including engineering difficulties and adverse weather conditions.

“We’re continuing to monitor the situation and hope to be on site in the next fortnight.

“We’re very sorry for the extended delay and inconvenience this may be causing to the local community.”