It seems little time since Romsey Labour first stood on Mill Road bridge to collect signatures to persuade Govia to keep the bridge open to pedestrians & cyclists. At the end of the first week we had collected over 600 signatures. We set up a campaign group with its own web site https://overmillroadbridge.org.uk/whats-proposed/. We started hundreds of conversations with local people, & local business & were challenging Govia to change their plans.

From an initial idea early in the year we created Mill Road Summer to take advantage of the closure. With reduced vehicle traffic we wanted to support local people create events on Mill Road throughout the closure. We wanted to help bring people into the area to support our local businesses. Our local councillors got funding from Govia for this. We supported over 40 community events, provided legacy equipment for Mill Road business & the Romsey Music Project.

It has been tough too. The Gas companies decision to replace gas mains along the length of Mill Road has been devastating for some businesses particularly in Petersfield & so too was the fire that destroyed H Gee’s.

Last week Mill Road Summer and Over Mill Road Bridge hosted a packed public meeting at St Phillips Church on Mill Road.  We wanted

• to review and seek feedback from Romsey & Petersfield residents and traders about their experiences during the bridge closure
• to ask how those experiences could translate into a vision for the future of Mill Road and the surrounding area

You can give your own feedback & see the video & presentations from the meeting here .

The temporary closure of Mill Road gave a small insight particularly in Romsey to what the environment & community could be like if through traffic was controlled.There are concerns about what the impact of the Mill Road closure on surrounding roads.

Over Mill Road Bridge & Mill Road Summer