BARRICADES which denied shoppers means of access from the town centre car park to a Haslemere mini shopping mall, and which were removed more than a year ago, were back in the limelight this week.

Fencing contractors moved in to erect metal posts at the rear of Charter Walk and work started on installing a £1,000 plus, six-feet-high chain-link fence.

The fence was understood to have run along the length of the rear of Charter Walk, across a disabled parking bay and thereby blocking the main access from the car park, leaving the only rear access through a small walkway across the front corner of one of the shops

The work was thought to have been sanctioned by Simon Hodgins, a beneficiary of the Haslemere Gibbs Trust, owners of the narrow L-shaped "ransom strip" of land which has been the subject of an access dispute ever since work began on the mall more than three years ago.

"It's unbelievable and petty," said Mark Harris from Tanning Level, which is next to the strip of land newly marked out in yellow paint, and who saw the contractors move in and start digging holes on Wendesday morning.

And to make light of the situation he added: "I'll probably bring my badminton racket in on Friday for a game over the fence.

Geoff Hall, area manager for Done Bookmakers, in Charter Walk said: "We have just moved into the town and employ people locally. We want to support the economy by being successful and if this man puts up the fence he will cause major problems to our business. We have never done anything to upset this guy - we understood the problem with the strip of land and bent over backwards to accommodate requests from him."

Referring to the bust of Margarette "Poppy" Rhodes which is erected near his shop Mr Hall said: "The irony of it is that the statue outside is of his late grandmother."

"This man is endangering the local economy," he claimed.

Richard Marsh, from toy shop Cheeky Monkeys, was also infuriated. "I knew the problem about the access, it all seems a little petty to me, not to mention stupid.

"I can't see the purpose of it and if the fence goes up it will probably affect my business," he added.

The president of Haslemere Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Melanie Odell, said she was "absolutely furious. We have a beautiful development being ruined by the efforts of one man."

But within hours of contractors digging on the site, work came to an abrupt end.

Jeremy Stevens for the developers Chelsfield Leisure appeared on the scene, and spoke to Waverley Borough Council about the matter

Worried about health and safety issues over the job, it is understood that the contractors decided not to continue.

"We find it unnecessary; we will never finish Charter Walk until the trust agrees to the right of access. We have offered £30,000 but the trust is demanding £120,000," claimed Mr Stevens.

Mayor of Haslemere Stephen Mulliner confirmed that work had stopped on the fence which, he claimed had included four yards close to the boundary of Brewers, which was not owned by the Gibbs Trust.

After speaking to Waverley ,Mr Mulliner said: "We have gained a breathing space and hopefully Waverley will make sure that no barrier is put across the right-hand access."

A spokesman for Waverley Borough Council said: "We are aware of the situation and are looking into it."

Mr Hodgins from the Gibbs Trust was not available for comment.