A HAMPSHIRE MP is urging council bosses to reconsider the partial closure of one of the busiest roads in his town.

Mike Thornton, MP for Eastleigh, believes the planned partial closure of Bishopstoke Road, in Eastleigh, will be “monumentally disruptive” and is urging Hampshire County Council to have a rethink.

The B3037 road, which is the main route from Eastleigh towards Bishopstoke, would under the plans be down to one lane for up to 16 weeks from mid-January onwards.

This is for repair work to replace the retaining wall and railings at Bishopstoke.

While welcoming the investment in the area, Eastleigh MP has raised concerns over potential serious disruptions to local residents.

He said the work could have been scheduled for the summer holidays, when there would be less traffic and more daylight hours for potentially for longer working days.

He also said the work could have been 'double shifted'.

The MP also wants assurances from county council bosses that diversions due to be put in place are good enough that this does not allow adjoining roads in Bishopstoke to become rat-runs for traffic.

“Repairs to this stretch of highway have been long overdue, so I welcome the much needed funds and investment for this work to be done,” said Mr Thornton.

“However, this is a major road and closing one lane of it for up to 16 weeks would cause a monumental level of disruption to a significant number of residents.

“I don't think that the county council have thought these plans through.

“More can and should be done to both speed up this vital work and reduce to an absolute minimum, the disruption that local residents will have to endure.”