THE owner of a tea rooms who previously described the A35 roadworks as “soul destroying” has since praised engineers for a “great” improvement in communications ahead of the road reopening.
Engineers contracted by Hampshire County Council have been carrying out the major bridge replacement scheme on the A35 at Holmsley for several months.
In February, the owner of the Old Station Tea Rooms at Holmsley told the Echo of his frustrations at being left in the dark over changes to a project.
However, in the month since, Paul Jensen says his business has benefitted from improved communications with the council and engineers Knights Brown.
He said: “Since the last time we spoke, communications have been great and it looks like they’re doing well and still on schedule. It is what it is of course, but I know they’re now doing everything they can do get it done. They’re working seven days at the moment to try and keep it on schedule.
“I’ve had guys from the council and Knights Brown who have been in, and they’ve been through various things and updates with us. I don’t know what prompted it, but it’s been much better.
“I’m really quite happy.”
Paul, who has owned the tea rooms since 2014, also said workmen have started coming to the tea rooms for breakfast.
Amid the works in February, Paul said to reach Mother’s Day would mean they could “survive another year” as it is busiest trade day of the year for them. Hampshire County Council previously said a “special provision” would be made on March 27 to help customers access the site.
Following this, Paul said: “Mother’s Day was very good. Hampshire Council and Knights Brown agreed to open up the southern access by the A35 to help, they did it and that was a great help, we had a really good day.”
While some customers are still having trouble accessing the site, Paul said he and his team are happy to continue guiding callers unsure how to navigate around the closures.
He also gave thanks to customers who “fought” 10-mile diversions to visit the tea rooms, describing them as a “good, supportive bunch”.
The A35 road closures are due to come to an end on April 8.
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