The Hundred, Romsey, could remain closed as part of £3m recovery bid

As reported, The Hundred temporarily shut to traffic on July 1 by HCC in an effort to help people socially distance, by providing more space for pedestrians and cyclists.

However, a reopening date for the road is yet to be confirmed.

Now, HCC has announced they have submitted a bid to the Government for a further £3.45m to help redesign some of their roads and high streets, which will support social distancing measures.

READ: Poll reveals opinions on The Hundred being temporarily shut >>>

This includes keeping The Hundred closed and making the "current scheme look better", as well as potentially developing a "longer term scheme" for the road, according to HCC.

They added: "The detail of proposals will be the subject of a consultation should we be successful."

Community leaders have welcomed the news, with one councillor stressing this move is not "a permanent closure".

Cllr Mark Cooper, who represents Romsey Town on the county council, said: "At Tuesday's (August, 11) meeting, Romsey Town Council voted to support the county's scheme to seek funding so we can improve the layout of the closure.

"The current plastic barriers in The Hundred do not fit in with the town centre, because it is a conservation area, so the county is looking to put in bollards which would look better.

"I have certainly had a lot of positive responses from people about the closure, but the only problems are that people who live to the west of the town centre either have to drive through Greatbridge Road or Portersbridge Street, which is directing traffic into residential areas.

"This is a downside we need to consider in the future, but having used the town centre over the last few days the ambiance there is really pleasant."

READ: Work to close The Hundred begins >>> 

Cllr Mark Cooper

He added, if HCC are successful with their bid, the money will make it easier to close The Hundred on a "part-time basis", stressing this will not be a "permanent closure".

Cllr Nik Daas, who represents Romsey Abbey on Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC), said: "I think it is a good idea to make sure the road is safe for residents, because at the moment the temporary barriers are there and a car could plough through them to take out pedestrians, which we obviously wouldn't want.

"If we could get something a bit more substantial that would be good, because we do not know how much longer coronavirus will go on for."

READ: Hampshire County Council U-turns on closing The Hundred >>>  

Cllr Nik Daas

Deputy leader of TVBC, Cllr Nick Adams-King, said: "Given that there is clear public support for The Hundred's closure from recent polls, I would welcome this bid.

"A permanent closure is probably not the right answer for it, but being able to temporarily close it a few times a day, for example between 10am and 4pm at the key shopping times, would be ideal."

Cllr Nick Adams-King