THE people of Four Marks have celebrated the re-opening of the refurbished Oak Green shopping parade.

East Hampshire district councillor Ingrid Thomas cut the ribbon to mark the completion of the £45,000 project, paid for by developers’ contributions.

Located on the main Winchester Road (A31), the shopping parade has suffered a catalogue of disasters, testing Four Marks Parish Council which was faced with a problem of how to turn it into a low-maintenance, aesthetically-inviting area.

Parish clerk Sarah Goudie said: “Ten years ago the then parish council embarked on a huge refurbishment project but, unfortunately, within three years of completion cracks in the sleepers began to show and it soon became apparent that the wood used was not to an appropriate specification. Despite some initial running repairs, the wood began to disintegrate at an alarming level, leaving areas dangerously exposed, and losing one seating area completely.

“Then gradually the cycle racks were reversed into and the protective bollards around the Oak Tree were consistently knocked over, and the other bollards too began to split and rot.

“This left the current parish council with a huge dilemma and over the past three years various committees have pondered what could be done to rectify the situation.

“It soon became apparent that there was to be no recompense from the original contractor, so due to the vast amount of development the parish council was able to access a certain amount of environmental improvement developers’ contributions and, with the budget set and the finer details agreed, the tenders were sent out, and a contractor formally appointed in spring of this year.”

Mrs Goudie continued: “It was also agreed that as the car park needed resurfacing and re-lining, there was an opportunity to increase the car park size.

“Brickwork with flint detail and granite-style seating were chosen over a wooden finish, and new sturdier safety bollards installed, with a new low-level, low-maintenance planting scheme.”

The work was completed in early July.

While the parish council was concerned that work would cause disruption, impacting on the traders, negotiations with the contractor meant that the car park was left partially open for all but three days, enabling customers to continue parking near the shops.

Janet Foster, chairman of the parish council, said: “I am absolutely delighted with the new-look Oak Green, and judging by the wealth of positive comments verbally, on social media and by letters and e-mail, it has been extremely well received by our residents.

“We thank the shops and local residents for their patience during the refurbishment and hope that the new look will entice new customers to use our high quality and varied local facilities.”