WORK has now begun on the B3006 through Selborne, bringing with it the expected commuter chaos as motorists choose on Monday to ignore road-closure signs and sought alternative routes along unsuitable country lanes. According to Selborne residents it was a scene reminiscent of mayhem caused by the closure last month of the B3004 at East Worldham. Traffic jams in the tiny hamlet of Newton Valence were followed by "rat running" along Gracious Street and Honey Lane. By contrast, the roadworks have left the centre of Gilbert White's village in peace. Such a novelty is it that resident Michael Blyth believes people should take the rare opportunity to enjoy the village as it should be – "free of traffic speeding through the A3". In a letter to The Herald he said: "People should visit The Wakes, local shops and the pubs, stroll round the village, explore Gracious Street, walk in the middle of the road – meet the legendary cat still asleep – stop and chat. "You can actually hear the rooks squabbling as they build their nests. The authorities have brought off a miracle!" said a joyous Mr Blyth. But the message from Hampshire County Council is that the road is only closed for the two-month work period. In a statement this week, a spokesman confirmed the village is closed between Goslings Croft in the north and Ketchers Field at the southern end of the village, with concrete barriers across the roads to prevent vehicle access. However, the B3006 will be open between the hours of 5 pm and 7 am to facilitate residents and businesses. And early warning signs have been erected in advance of Selborne village explaining the exact points and times of the closure. The statement continued: "During all phases of the work every effort will be made by our contractors to allow vehicular access to, and from, village properties. But, it is advisable to plan in advance any travelling that is required due to the extent of the diversion route. As well as road and footpath resurfacing the enhancement works will include the provision of village gateways, the removal of excess signage, a pedestrian crossing point and the erection of safety fencing. While some residents have complained of lack of public consultation, The Selborne Arms landlady, parish councillor Hayley Carter says that's not true. She told The Herald that since the first presentation of the scheme at a parish council meeting on June 14 last year, residents have had plenty of opportunity to register views. "By no stretch of the imagination can anyone say this has been done without public consultation – it has had more input from the village and has been worked out more closely between HCC and the parish than any other scheme." While many residents believe the scheme should have included the implementation of a 20mph speed limit through the village, Mrs Carter said that the decision was taken to "wait and see" how the new scheme would impact on vehicle speed. If it slowed the traffic down enough then it might be possible to push for a reduction in the speed limit which would need to be self- regulating. Mrs Carter pointed out that the village had always known that funding was limited and it had been agreed by the parish council's traffic sub-committee, made up of parish councillors, school representatives and STAG (Selborne Traffic Action Group) members, that pedestrian safety was the most important issue. Official diversion routes have been signposted using A or B roads, to comply with HCC's "like for like" policy. Drivers leaving the south of the village are being advised to pick up access to the A3 or the A325 through Bordon using its link to the B3004 Kingsley road. Northbound drivers are advised to take the B3006 into Alton to pick up the A31.
