THE inconvenience caused by roadworks associated with the needs of an expanding population are beginning to take their toll, not least on bus services.

While the reliance on such services would appear to increase as more houses are built in the Alton area, the provision is on the decline, with folk living at the eastern end of town reduced to using a No9 town centre service, running for just two hours on weekdays and no weekend service.

While those at the western end of town, wanting to take the bus to Basingstoke, were plunged into a similar situation after the No13 service was suddenly rerouted with no prior notice.

Residents in the Greenfields estate area of town were staggered to find that the service had been temporarily rerouted due to traffic lights at the Old Odiham Road end of Greenfields Avenue, associated with ongoing gas works.

Stagecoach South marketing manager Stacey Churton said: “Due to unplanned gas works, Stagecoach route 13 is unable to serve Greenfields Avenue and South View Rise. Route 13 will be turning around at Alton College and diverting along the High Street onto Market Street and Lenten Street before returning to its normal route.

“We understand that this is not ideal for customers who live on this section of the route and would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

While this diversion was due to be in place until today (Thursday) SGN, which is working to upgrade the gas network on the estate and has already run over time, says it hopes to complete the work by the end of May.

SGN spokesman Waseem Hanif said: “We are investing to replace our old gas mains and services with new plastic pipe to ensure a continued safe and reliable gas supply to the local area.

“This is a complex engineering project for which we have been in close consultation with Hampshire County Council throughout. All being well, we hope to complete our work by the end of May.”

And he added: “We understand that people can get frustrated by roadworks. However, the new plastic pipe has a minimum lifespan of 80 years. This means that when the work is complete, Alton residents will continue to enjoy the benefits of a safe and reliable gas supply for years to come.”

In the meantime, the problems facing residents of the Manor and Wootey’s estates over the lack of a reasonable bus service are to be the subject of a public meeting, to be held on Monday, June 4, at Wootey Infant School, starting at 7pm.

The meeting will be co-hosted by Amery ward district councillor Robert Saunders, Tim Houghton (chief executive of Community First), and town councillor Graham Titterington, also representing Eastbrooke and Wooteys Residents’ Association.

Mr Houghton said: “Community First provides valuable community transport services across East Hampshire. We are looking forward to working with Eastbrooke and Wooteys Residents’ Association to explore the potential of creating a new community bus service to help residents get to local shops and services in and around Alton.”