Days of traffic “chaos and mayhem” resulted in two cars being …
A small village recently suffered through days of traffic “chaos and mayhem” which resulted in two cars being damaged and a Ukrainian refugee’s vehicle being written off.
Multiple lorries and cars were forced through Ashmansworth three weeks ago when a lack of signage for a surprise A343 road closure left motorists on their way to Andover with no choice but to travel on the narrow country lanes surrounding the village.
The build-up of traffic in the small village caused delays of up to 30 minutes and several front lawns were damaged as a result of the increased vehicle presence.
Photos of damaged verges following the incident (63384545)
There were even reports of confused motorists verbally abusing Ashmansworth residents who were trying to direct the traffic.
Ashmansworth Parish Council was not notified of the Andover Road closure in advance of Wednesday, March 22, and the closure, which was put in place to fill in some of the road’s potholes, lasted until the following Monday.
Parish council chairman Alan Cox said: “I received reports of chaos with cars and lorries travelling in both directions down these narrow lanes causing mayhem and huge jams.
Photos of damaged verges following the incident (63384551)
“I have also heard of several cases of significant damage to vehicles, including one write-off.
“Some drivers seemed incapable of reversing and many were seriously delayed for hospital appointments.”
Several Ashmansworth residents have criticised Hampshire County Council for the way they handled the closure, specifically the lack of pre-warning and clear signage.
Residents stated that although there were some road closed signs along the Andover Road, they didn’t specify which road the closure referred to.
Photos of damaged verges following the incident (63384549)
They also said that there weren’t any diversion signs in place to direct motorists on a more suitable route until a few days into the closure.
Ashmansworth resident Rachel Juniper said: “I think highways have a lot to answer for in terms of their diversions as they confused so many people.”
Jo Teece said: “Hampshire Council Council put our farmers in a terrible position.
Photos of damaged verges following the incident (63384543)
“It was impossible for them to work, unable to reach stock with feed and dealing with angry drivers, even corralling them in the farmyard to be shouted at.
“This whole episode has been disgraceful and I am embarrassed to pay my council tax to them.”
David Ansell said: “It should have been marked on the A34 so that lorries and cars could have stayed on that road to get to the Bullington Crossing to go down the A303.
Photos of damaged verges following the incident (63384547)
“There’s no point them committing to a road which is shut and which they’re not aware of, and once they’re on it then how else can they get round that but to come through here? You can’t turn a lorry round.”
Rob Facey added: “I think what needs to be identified is the lessons learned for the local authority and their coordination.
“When you have had a deteriorating road for two years, why did the prior planning to this fail?”
Hampshire County Council has been approached for comment.