AN embarrassing blunder has forced highways engineers to issue a statement on a proposed road closure which would have left Froxfield villagers even more stranded. The villagers and businesses around Froxfield are already suffering from the prolonged closure of their vital Stoner Hill lifeline to Petersfield after a landslide shut off the road in March. But last week, many villagers were horrified to read a public notice informing them of the temporary closure of the A272 road at Bordean Hill. This was to enable highways engineers to resurface the road. This would have meant a further seven-to- eight-mile diversion for villagers trying to get home from Petersfield. Last week, Hampshire County Council moved quickly to assure worried villagers that the planned work had been put back until after the reopening of Stoner Hill. Hampshire County Council's executive member for environment, Tim Knight said: "I must also take this opportunity to reassure you all that the A272 at Bordean Hill will not be closed for resurfacing just yet. You may have seen public notices in the local press stating that the road would be closed for five nights, but clearly this won't be happening while the route is used as a diversion." Reporting on the progress towards reopening Stoner Hill Mr Knight said: "Following further site investigation works, the county council has finalised the detailed design for the preferred option of a steel, sheet-pile wall to support the failed section of highway, over a length of approximately 100 metres. The proposals include timber facing of the exposed steel piles, to soften the visual impact, and the use of timber safety barriers. "The other key aspect of the proposed remedial works is improvement of the surface-water drainage, to ensure that rainfall is removed effectively from the road surface and discharged in a way that avoids erosion of the soil and damage to the ecology of the valley side. Preliminary proposals for the drainage works have been prepared, and are currently with English Nature for comment. "The condition of the remainder of the closed section of road will be reviewed to determine any additional maintenance work required, so that this can also be carried out while the road is still closed. "Consultants Mott Gifford have now been briefed to undertake the environmental surveys and impact assessment, as requested by English Nature. The preliminary report and assessment should be available by the end of this month, for submission to English Nature. A meeting with English Nature has been arranged for early August, to review its response to the initial reports, determine whether any further surveys or assessments are required, and agree any conditions to be applied to the construction works to mitigate any damaging effects. "The Sussex Downs and East Hampshire AONB joint committee has confirmed that it is supportive of the proposals, subject to a number of minor clarifications. "Lockable gates have been installed at both ends of the closed section of road, to prevent unauthorised access. "The contractor's estimate for the construction phase is still 10-12 weeks. The earliest likely date for the beginning of construction works would be towards the end of August, although this will clearly depend on how quickly the application is processed by English Nature, and whether any further survey or assessment works are required." • Webpages dealing with the Stoner Hill project. can be found at http:// www3.hants.gov.uk/transport/stoner-hill- landslip.htm The pages will be updated regularly.
