Gas upgrade begins on A35 at Hinton

The gas network upgrade on the A35 at Hinton begins today, closing one slip-lane of the hugely busy route, at the junction with Ringwood Road, likely to cause major disruption to road users.

The works will mean there will be no access to or from Ringwood Road for motorists travelling to Walkford, Highcliffe, New Milton and Lymington.

The council says "two way daytime traffic will be maintained east and westbound."

A number of signed diversions will also be put into place. The road has seen a huge rise in traffic in recent months as motorists try to avoid the A338 Bournemouth Spur Road works using the A35 as an alternative route through the New Forest.

Contractor SGN failed to explain why the works could not be delayed until after the Spur Road is completed and were not able to confirm how long the works will last or at what times they will take place.

Run with approval from Hampshire County Council, the project will see £610,000 invested to replace old metallic gas mains with new plastic pipes with a minimum lifespan of 80 years, spokesman Chris Jacobs said.

Works are expected to be completed at Lyndhurst Road by March 4, and Ringwood Road by March 29.

A spokesman for Southern Gas Networks said: "We appreciate that roadworks can be frustrating and this is a busy route however, the existing gas main is coming to the end of its useful life and has already been subject to a number of repairs in the past few years.

"We're acutely aware of the disruption caused by emergency roadworks so we've prioritised replacing this gas main to minimise future disruption."

Hampshire County Council transport boss Cllr Seán Woodward claims the council is working closely with SGN, schools and bus companies to minimise disruption while the gas works proceed.

Signed diversions will be in place at the B3055 Bashley Cross Road, B3058 and the A337 Christchurch Road and Lymington Road during phase 1.

During these three weeks motorists will not be able to turn right to Bransgore from Lyndhurst or access Walkford via the Ringwood Road from the A35 or the A337.

A two-way system will remain in the day as work takes place overnight “at the quietest time”.

Cllr Woodward said they anticipate minimal disruption, adding: “Hampshire County Council is working with SGN and Dorset County Council to minimise disruption to people travelling on the A35 and surrounding area near Ringwood.”