RESIDENTS have had their say on the A31 improvement proposals as Ringwood Town Council finalise their recommendations - with West Street and petrol garage closures at the centre of their views.

Following an open forum at Ringwood Gateway, councillors discussed the observations they would like to put to Highways England.

In their finalised response to the plans the council added the recommendation to close direct access to the petrol station on the eastbound A31 between the West Street slip road onto the A31 and the Verwood turn off for safety reasons.

In an hour-long discussion before full council, members of the public said closing the petrol station on the A31 would improve safety far more than closing West Street - which is the planned course of action set out by Highways.

Three questions were put to the residents at the meeting to gauge their view on the proposals.

The public were overwhelmingly in favour of reducing the speed limit on the A31.

They were also overwhelmingly in favour of closing the petrol station, while a small majority were in favour of also closing West Street - 14 in favour, 11 against and five undecided.

Reacting to the open forum in the council meeting, Cllr Chris Treleaven said: "We propose direct access to the petrol station from the A31 be stopped on the same safety grounds as crossing access is a danger to motorists and the public."

Cllr Jeremy Heron said: "From a personal point of view I don't think we should close West Street, but I'm not arguing it should be a change in recommendation from this council because I believe the majority view of this council is it should still be closed."

Cllr Philip Day said: "It is our firm recommendation for the petrol station access to be closed, but if they refuse to do that then we propose the slip road be extended (to Verwood)."

The council also said they were concerned after recently discovering the proposed work on the A338 between Blackwater and Cooper Dean was due to take place at the same time as the A31 development.

Members added further recommendations for communication between Highways and Bournemouth Borough Council over the two proposals, and increased signage before Ringwood on the A31 to deter using the town as a rat run throughout the works.

Residents' calls for a reduced speed limit on the stretch of the A31 were taken up by the council with a recommendation included for Highways.

New Forest District Council are set to finalise their views on the plans at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday August 2.