A ROAD closure which is causing chaos at Chineham Business Park and Hampshire International Park will be in place for at least six weeks.

The part of Crockford Lane which joins up with Hanmore Road has been shut since last Monday while foul drains are installed for the new Croudace Homes development near the business park.

The closure means there is currently only one way in and out of the business park, and in rush hour this week there have been mammoth queues as hundreds of motorists become bottle-necked as they head towards the A33.

Some workers have reported to The Gazette that it has taken them more than 90 minutes just to get to the Crockford Lane roundabout.

Lynn Ringer, who works at Aurora World in the Hampshire International Park, said that even letting some of her staff leave early has made no difference as it took them nearly two hours just to get to the first roundabout.

Mrs Ringer, from Oakley said: “We have staff who have young children who they need to pick up from child care, but they aren’t getting off the business park until six or seven o’clock, it is ridiculous.

“Imagine if there was an accident and the emergency services needed to get through, they would have no chance as everything just comes to a standstill from 5pm.

“I have contacted the county council to see if there is anything that can be done to ease the flow of traffic but them don’t seem to be interested.

“It is not fair on staff here that they have to sit in traffic for at least an hour after a hard day at work.”

Wendy Marks, area manager at Arena Business centres, which is situated next to where the work is being carried out, said Hampshire Country Council – who are carrying out the work – have shown little interest in the chaos it has caused.

The 58-year-old said: “We have spoken to the council about using temporary traffic lights, as at least that would ease things a little, but they don’t seem to want to budge.”

There have also been concerns raised about the safety of drivers and the added congestion to the surrounding housing estates.

Michele Egain, who works at Visa Europe, added: “There is no break in the traffic and it is only a matter of before frustration creeps in and someone forces their way onto the roundabout.”

The country council said other options were investigated to try and minimise the disruption to motorists, however with the limited verge width and equipment being used there was no suitable alternative.

Executive member for environment and transport Councillor Rob Humby said:

“The county council is carefully monitoring the traffic situation and will make adjustments to the signal timing at the traffic lights at the A33 Reading Road/Crockford Road junction.

“We ask people where possible to either allow more time or vary their journey times, particularly during peak hours while the works take place.”