MAINTENANCE and connection works have been moved forward by BCP Council to coincide with the current closure of Bargates in Christchurch.

Road closures were initially put in place on Monday September 7 for Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks to repair a leaking mains cable.

However, as “further unreported damage” was discovered, an extension of two weeks was put in place from Monday September 28 to Monday October 12.

During this time, other services have moved in to complete necessary works in the town.

A BCP Spokesperson said: “SSE Telecom, Vodafone & Cityfibre have all made use of the closure to carry out their works which were brought forward in order to do this and they will be working collaboratively in the future where possible.”

However, although Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks have now completed their maintenance works on a leaking mains cable, the road is to be closed for another week until Monday October 19 because of maintenance work by CityFibre.

Lucy Cooper, CityFibre’s Manager for Bournemouth, said: “While we are currently focusing on our £35m Full Fibre roll-out in Bournemouth, we will also be delivering an additional £40m investment in Christchurch and Poole, which is scheduled to get underway in 2021.

“Once complete, both projects will bring Full Fibre connectivity within reach of almost every home and business across all three communities.

“By liaising closely with Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council throughout the Bournemouth build, we have been working to minimise disruption where possible.

“This is why we have been able to align some of our core build work for the Christchurch and Poole project alongside essential maintenance work carried out by SSE in Bargates.

“This early investment will not only enable us to accelerate a section of our roll out plan, it will enable us to minimise disruption for traffic and residents in the future be eliminating the need to dig up the same section of road a second time.”

Yellow Buses have announced that their services will continue to run of the current diverted route until the road reopens.

Business owners in Christchurch have voiced their frustration as continued roadworks along Bargates have “put people off coming into town”.

Owner of PP Printing Richard Oswald said: “To be honest it's just very frustrating.

“We appreciate the work has to be done but you can imagine as traders that the lack of access and general increase in traffic around Christchurch has put people off coming into town.

“I'm reluctant to criticise anyone publicly, but you can imagine how frustrated we are on Bargates.”

Richard has assured residents that, whilst roadwork signs and bollards continue to line the street, some businesses along Bargate remain open and are in need of footfall on their premises.

He added: “After the most challenging trading year the situation has been a real nightmare for all of us.

“But most of us have been here a long time and we'll still be around for our customers whatever happens.”