Traders’ complaints about unauthorised signs slamming impending full closure of B3058 Bashley Common Road, through Bashley, for SGN gas works, result in their removal
UNOFFICIAL signs warning of impending gas works set to “paralyse” Bashley and New Milton have been removed after traders complained.
Businesses, who have hit out at SGN’s move to close the B3058 Bashley Common Road from 6th January to 28th March to replace a main, feared the signs implied they would be shut throughout.
As reported in the A&T, the blanket closure was labelled “a kick in the teeth” for traders along the road.
It will stretch between the cattle grid by the Rising Sun pub and the Ossemsley South Drive junction.
But a recent New Milton Town Council planning committee meeting heard that some traders had complained about unauthorised signs slamming the SGN plan.
Printed in coloured text on a white UPVC background, the signs purported to be from villagers and traders.
Understood to have been erected by a trader, one mentioned the closure “paralysing New Milton, Bashley village and businesses”.
Planning chair Cllr Steve Clarke told members the signs had been removed after Bashley businesses contacted the council.
They were concerned that the signs gave the impression they would be closed for the duration of the works.
Speaking to the A&T after the meeting, planning clerk Theresa Elliott said the town council did not know who erected the notices.
“It needs to be said that the local traders were rightly concerned about the signs,” she said.
“It’s likely that just one person is behind the signs and possibly misrepresenting views. Members have been rung by traders to state the signs were working against them.”
Previous outcry in response to the planned road closure has included local motorcycling legend Sammy Miller MBE threatening legal action.
The recently appointed New Milton honorary freeman prepared an injunction calling for a halt to the planned SGN project, branding it a “damaging circus act”.
A drop-in information session hosted by the company was branded an “insult” by the 91-year-old, who also fears the work will affect his renowned museum on nearby Bashley Cross Road.
“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.”
In a letter to the town council and New Forest West MP Sir Desmond Swayne, Mr Miller wrote: “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.”