A HAMPSHIRE MP has waded into the row over the water company roadworks causing a misery to drivers and businesses.

Eastleigh MP Mike Thorn-ton spoke out after finding just one workman on site when he visited the controversial water mains works between Colden Common and Fair Oak.

Now he has vowed to seek a full explanation for the traffic chaos from water company bosses and the county council.

Motorists have been caught up in jams for more than an hour after part of the B3354 Main Road was closed on January 6, as reported by the Daily Echo. Bus services have also been suspended.

As reported, local businesses have claimed their trade has been affected by people not knowing they were open because of a lack of signage.

Southern Water has already cut the project, which it describes as “essential”, from 12 weeks to eight after a huge number of complaints.

Mr Thornton, at the site with Fair Oak councillor Des Scott, said he had had a number of complaints from residents, some saying there was often no visible work taking place and asking why the road cannot be reopened at certain times to ease congestion.

He said: “I know how frustrating these works are. They have caused traffic chaos in the area way beyond what is acceptable. At peak times, I see no reason why there couldn’t be a steady flow of traffic in one direction to help ease the congestion.”

Southern Water has said it completed as much work as possible with the road open, and contractors had been working extended hours.

A spokesman said: “We are working hard to complete this essential water mains replacement as quickly as possible, however the nature of construction sites means activity may not always be visible.”

The day Mr Thornton visited one of two crews finished at lunchtime and other staff had to go to get materials, he said.