Chandler's Ford car park blocked by 'unexpected' roadworks

President of Chandler's Ford Central Club, Mark Treacy, 61, said two bands are set to play at the club tonight and tomorrow night while 700 people are expected to attend a Halloween children's party on Sunday.

But works by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) have blocked the club’s car park making it harder for people to access the venue.

Mark Treacy outside the doors of the social club in Chandlers Ford (Image: Mark Treacy)

Mark said: “Tuesday morning these road works appeared with absolutely no warning to local businesses or the public.

“The car park entrance is completely blocked off and members think we are closed due to all the barriers from the roadworks.

“This could mean a massive loss of earning in what would have been a really successful weekend for the business.

The entrance to the club has been blocked by the road works (Image: Mark Treacy)

“I have been in touch with representative of Southern Electric and they had the cheek to tell me ‘We take pride in working with local residents and businesses to stop disruption’.

“There has been an appalling lack of communication with local traders.

“We struggled to survive through the pandemic and have been finding our feet again in the last couple of years. 

“The club had a jam-packed weekend planned and now we are looking at chaos.”

The road works started on Tuesday without any warning (Image: Mark Treacy)

The only other way to access the car park is through a small narrow road, which Mark says is poorly lit during the evening.

The retired banker added: “The narrow road is difficult to manoeuvre in and has no street lighting. With 300 or so people here, it is going to be a big health and safety risk.

The narrow road that leads to the carpark around the side of the building (Image: Mark Treacy)

“The lads that began working on Tuesday said they would be gone by Friday, but then a manager from Southern Electrics told me that they would need longer to allow the tar to dry.

“The company have not been willing to find a compromise. I was told to claim the loss of earning through our business insurance – a funny way of showing the company ‘take pride in working with local residents and businesses to stop disruption’."

In response to Mark's claims, a spokesperson for SSEN said: “Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is carrying out essential works to a fault on its underground cable near Bournemouth Road that is at risk of causing unplanned outages, if not addressed immediately.

“These repair works are being undertaken on a section of road that is already being used for bus stop replacement and has caused no diversions, road closures or restricted access to the pavement.

“It is planned that these works will be completed by Monday 30 October and SSEN thanks customers for their patience while this vital repair work is carried out.”