AS tension rises over the impact of the imminent work to replace the Victorian bridge at The Butts with a more modern equivalent, the Alton and District Residents’ Association (ADRA) is calling for a public consultation into the route of the traffic diversions associated with the project.

A key and controversial part of the so-called South Alton Plan, the widening of the bridge was deemed by East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) planners to be essential to accommodate the increased volume of traffic associated with the building of another 500 new homes on the two sites at Borovere Farm on the B3006 Selborne Road and at Treloar Heights, off Chawton Park Road.

Alarmed to hear that work on the bridge may start in September, as the overarching residents’ association for Alton, ADRA is concerned that there has been no public consultation or information provided to residents of Alton and the surrounding areas regarding proposed traffic routing and potential diversions.

As such, it is calling on Hampshire County Council to undertake a consultation on the traffic diversion routes well ahead of the work planned and to stage a public exhibition or local information event so that people can be prepared for the disruption ahead.

residents’ association chairman Becci May said: “The works around the Butts bridge will affect people in and around Alton, as well as traffic passing through Alton, and yet many are unaware that this is coming.

“As a key gateway into Alton, and a through road between areas to the north and south, any road closures at Butts Bridge will not only affect local residents but others further afield.”

And she added: “The traffic diversion routing during the Butts Bridge roadworks needs strategic and careful consideration, and local residents are asking that proposed traffic diversion information is consulted upon as soon as possible, as this will have a huge impact on people’s daily lives, whether it be commuting to work, attending a hospital appointment or coming into Alton to do the weekly shop.”

The residents’ association is also asking that signs be put up early on along the main routes surrounding Alton, so that people can make alternative plans in good time.

As an ADRA member, the Ackender Road Residents’ Association is particularly concerned about the likely impact of temporary changes to traffic patterns, with fears that this residential road, which is already closed to through traffic, could be expected to act as a major diversion, and it is expected to be the key topic for the group’s annual meeting tomorrow.

District ward councillor Graham Hill has confirmed that the Butts bridge replacement and associated roadworks will require major diversions over several months later this year and that it is essential to try to minimise the disruption.

He has been working behind the scenes with Alton county councillor Andrew Joy, who explained that diversion plans are in essence “owned” by the developers who negotiate an “acceptable” set of proposals with Hampshire Highways who then issue temporary traffic regulation orders to put them in place.

These do not require public consultation, which is why Mr Joy is currently in consultation with the county council’s highways officers who are working with Jubb, the developers’ highways engineering consultancy, and involving town and district councillors, and key community and residents groups, in a bid to end up with a workable diversionary traffic system for the town. It will then be up to Jubb to inform the public.