Angry residents fight back after drivers risk safety by removing barriers from A3057 Romsey Road bridge

Angry residents snapped the drivers moving the signs so they could use the road as a short cut.

But they have been ordered to stop by roads bosses who condemned their behaviour as being a "huge safety risk".

Neighbours in Rownhams say they battled against a wave of “abusive” motorists who they claim turned a “quiet” country lane into a “rat run” while roadworks took place nearby.

Toothill Road was closed in either direction as engineers removed cabling from the nearby A3057 Romsey Road Bridge.

But motorists were snapped by neighbours who they claim were moving the signs as they used the single-lane track as a short cut to Rownhams Lane, rather than heading further up to Hoe Lane.

Diversions had been in place in the area as a project to replace the 42-year old bridge got underway.

Toothill and Packridge lanes were closed after they were considered “unsuitable for diverted traffic”.

Roads bosses will close the road bridge again during night time from 10pm to 5am from today (August 5) to Sunday (August 7).

It is part of plans to replace the structurally weak bridge which crosses the M27 and is a major artery through the villages of Nursling and Rownhams between Romsey and Southampton.

Highways England said there was a “huge safety risk” by people moving the signs.

One neighbour, Andy Croad, said motorists were "hammering down there" while resident were walking their dogs, not expecting to see any cars along it.

Another, Michael Walton, said “it’s only a matter of time” before a serious accident happened.

“When they got signage up with the road closed, people like that are thoroughly irresponsible, and I would suggest that their driving is too,” he said.

Andy, who has been living on the road for 15 years, said some of the barriers were pushed “out into the main A3057”.

“People were moving the barriers. I took it upon myself to do my best to keep them in place,” he said.

“I lost count of the number of times I had to replace the barriers. I was putting the barriers back at least once every hour. It was absolute bedlam. Everybody had an excuse: they had to get to a doctor or a hospital appointment. I heard every excuse under the sun.

“Some were blatantly making up stories to try and justify their actions. Some were confused by what they say was unclear signage, which I dispute. Some were abusive, I was reminded that it was their business, not mine, some were very abusive.”

He added: “What annoyed me was the blatant ignoring of the road closure signs. People knew there were “road closed” signs, or “road closed ahead” signs, they just chose to ignore them. 

“Even we couldn’t go through the road closure. We don’t mind this inconvenience, the alternative is a complete nightmare.”

Hampshire police said they had been notified of the incidents but had passed on their report to Highways England.

Michael added: “We residents of this quiet track single lane have been absolutely appalled at the number of people who are obviously unable to read or as in a good few cases simply ignorant of the fact that the road closures and diversions and moved barriers to one side that are there for a an obvious purpose. 

“The residents all observed the restrictions but suffered the arrogance and rudeness of those who clearly don't give a "tinkers cuss" for the residents or anybody else in this world.”

He added that he hoped “those inconsiderates” would “find a conscience”.
Phil Bundy, Nursling and Rownhams Parish Councillor and Test Valley Borough Councillor urged people not to move the signs.

“I can’t see for the life of me why people would want to use it anyway. The barriers were placed their in accordance with a traffic order and shouldn’t be tampered with,” he said.

A spokesman from Highways England said: “We strongly urge all road users to use official diversion routes when roadworks are in place. Diversion routes are decided in agreement with local councils and the police. 

“They are there for your safety, the safety of road workers and the safety of local residents. The Highway Code clearly states that drivers must not drive through an area marked off by traffic cones and doing so is a traffic offence.”

They added that additional signage has been ordered for this weekend and “a supervisor will also drive the route after installation and it will also be checked every two hours”.

A TEST Valley community is bracing itself for further chaos this weekend when a major road bridge going through their village is expected to close again.

The A3057 Romsey Road Bridge will be closed overnight from Friday August 5 to Sunday August 7 two weeks after workmen had to close the bridge for a whole weekend.

A spokesman for Highways England said this was a planned “contingency closure” to finish off work which took place two weeks ago.

Meanwhile lorries are blocked from using the 72-metre long bridge while narrow lanes are in place for the next six weeks.

The weight limit will not affect vehicles such as buses, bin lorries or the emergency services.

In 2018 work will begin to replace the bridge. The Romsey Advertiser understands there are plans to reduce the width of the bridge by half.

Engineers will be diverting the utility cables which run through the 42-year old bridge.

The closure will be between the Romsey Golf Club roundabout and Paulette Lacave Avenue.

A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A27 Botley Road through North Baddesley and Chilworth, Bassett Avenue, Winchester Road and Romsey Road.

During this closure Test Valley Borough Council will also be restricting access to Hoe Lane, Toothill Lane, Packridge Lane, Upton Lane, Balmoral Way, Horns Drove and Baker Drove.

A spokesman for Highways England, which is overseeing the project, said only villagers and business in Nursling and Rownhams will have access.

No specific estimate on how much the project will cost has been given by Highways England, who are leading the project, but it is expected to be more than £5 million.

A spokesman for Highways England said: “The scheme will ultimately deliver a brand new bridge which will ensure the network is robust for many years to come.”