ROAD CLOSURES COULD CANCEL EASTLEIGH CHRISTMAS - HUHNE

6.23.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 2nd Apr 2008

Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne is set to meet Eastleigh town centre traders this week to plan how to minimise the impact of Hampshire county council's proposed "devastating" road closures.

Mr Huhne said that there was real concern among traders that the county was effectively cancelling Christmas in Eastleigh thanks to the decision to block Southampton Road for full-scale repairs.

"I will meet the Eastleigh Town Centre Partnership early next week to discuss how we can minimise the disruption from Hampshire county council's madcap road closure plans" said Mr Huhne.

"At present, the county seems prepared to sever the main artery between Eastleigh and Southampton from July through November, with worries that the work might spill over into January. This could be devastating for Christmas trading in the town, and could also blight the grand opening of the new cinema complex" said Mr Huhne.

"A number of local businesses have expressed their concern at the insensitivity of Hampshire county council in going ahead with this scheme just when the economy is fragile. It is bad news for residents, traders, shops and the new cinema complex.

"There are also big questions over why the county is not treating this proposed scheme in the same way they did with the recent resurfacing of the A334 in Botley, and why the county is going ahead when new work will again be required as the Chickenhall Lane link road joins Southampton Road" said Mr Huhne.

Dennis Chandler, the town centre manager, is convening the town centre partnership including representatives from big retailers like Sainsburys and Boots as well as independents.

Cllr Chris Thomas, who is responsible for town centre trade at the borough, will brief the meeting on likely implications.