For Information: SGN Gas Main Replacement Affecting Maybush Corner Area of Southampton

Gas Main Works at Maybush Corner
Photo: Southampton Independents

 

Andrew Pope of the Independent Network and Co-Founder of Southampton Independents, has received the below information from Southern Gas Networks (SGN), who are working on gas mains in the Maybush Corner area of Southampton. 

Andrew says: 

Andrew Pope

"I asked for this information direct from the private gas company SGN, and they've provided it, so I'm passing it on to residents and businesses.

I've visited the site several times and spoken with staff. They are replacing the gas main and the works are deemed to be essential, according to them.

I've listened to bus users who have complained about the bus stop being moved. This included an elderly man Derek who has mobility problems. So we sat down and talked about it. And I've raised it with the bus company.

I've also spoken to Council officers about the bushes and trees that were cut back, because there may have been nesting birds. They said there were none.

While I was there, I took some photos for Guess the Pothole and reported potholes, two of which are now fixed. There is still a long rut in the middle of the road though.

The Labour-run Council's contractors Balfour Beatty are there checking up that SGN are doing it right according to the regulations. Regulations put in place by Tories. Like SGN, Balfour Beatty are also private contractors, contracted and extended under successive Tory and Labour councils, as documented on our website.

It seems like everything has been split up from central control and sold off, so it's no wonder the public feel the country and the Council is badly run and in constant chaos.

It is worth noting that the Thatcher Tory Government privatised gas, starting forty years ago in 1986. Labour has promised to bring at least part of it under national Government, but like many other broken promises that they've made, Labour has not. Labour or Tory, same old story."

The gas main works are causing disruption on the roads, with the bins, with wildlife, trees and bushes, and more. Get in touch if you want. You can also contact SGN at the details below.

We provide the information straight from SGN, without further comment, for your information. Emphasis has been added. 

"[SGN] would like to provide an update on our programme of gas main replacement work taking place in your local area.  Due to unforeseen engineering challenges our programme, and its traffic management, have changed from what was originally communicated, our plans are now as follows: 
 
14th March to Week Commencing 23rd March: Rownhams Road and Romsey Road – Road Closure and Traffic Lights
Rownhams Road will remain closed. We will be working under two light heads on Romsey Road. However, please note we will be flipping the works area and the live running lane. The light head at Wimpson Lane will remain as per the current traffic management set up. 
 
Week Commencing 23rd March to 30th March: Romsey Road – Traffic Lights
Following completion of reinstatement at Romsey Road junction Rownhams Road, the team will continue along Romsey Road between the junctions of Winchester Road to Rownhams Road under lights. 
 
30th March to 10th April: Romsey Road – Directional Road Closure
After this, we will amend traffic management to a westbound directional road closure between Winchester Road and Redbridge Hill, to complete a connection. 
 
10th April to 4th May: Romsey Road – Traffic Lights
The team will continue works along Romsey Road, from the junction of Winchester Road to Ashmead Road, under lights. Please note, the four-way junction of Romsey Road and Rownhams Road will be unaffected during this phase.
 
4th May to 29th May: Wimpson Lane – Directional Road Closure
We will have a southbound directional lane closure in place on Wimpson Lane. Northbound traffic will remain unaffected.
 
We understand our work can be disruptive for road users and residents; our engineers are committed to completing these works as quickly and as safely as possible. These works are essential to ensure we can continue to provide a safe and efficient gas supply to residents and wider community and avoid further disruptive gas leaks in the future. 
 
If you need to speak to us about these works, please email our customer service team  customer@sgn.co.uk or call us on 0800 912 1700, they will direct your enquiry to a member of the team for response. 
 
We’re sorry for the inconvenience caused and thank you for your patience and understanding. 
 
SGN Southern Replacement" 

 

 

CAMPAIGN UPDATE: A Sad and Controversial Goodbye To The Derelict Bridge Tavern Pub on Coxford Road

 

Andrew Pope Outside The Derelict Bridge Tavern Pub on Coxford Road

Shirley ward campaigner Andrew Pope has had confirmation from the Agent of the site developer that the development of the former Bridge Tavern is proceeding. Andrew says:

"I've had a response from the Agent today. I've told him of my disappointment that their proposal was approved by the big party councillors on the Council planning committee, but I have thanked him for his quick response to my questions.

There will be a delay but it may be "May" at the earliest before the pub is demolished. The Council and developer are having trouble agreeing the commitments that the developer must follow. And bats and other wildlife are inside the derelict pub.

I remain concerned on behalf of residents (and local bats, birds and other wildlife) of the impact of the development. I will keep a watching brief.

It's sad to see a pub be demolished but there was no way that I could save this pub. 

I have saved others in the New Forest, including the Anchor Inn at Eling and the Fleur de Lys at Pilley. I was standing for Parliament in New Forest East. Around that time, I also joined with campaigners to protect The Bittern pub at Bitterne from becoming a McDonald's.

Not all pubs can be saved though and not all pubs are wanted to be saved by local residents. The Bridge Tavern is obviously another that could not survive. I've met people who did enjoy the pub many years ago, including on Sunday when I was canvassing nearby, so the pub served its purpose and local residents for a long time. 

The Bush Inn on Maybush Road could not be saved, when I was councillor for Redbridge ward nearby. I asked local residents and they did not want the Bush Inn to be saved. 

At the time I was reported in the Echo saying that I was disappointed to lose another pub, but being an elected representative is not about what I want, it's about what local residents want. I listen to them and act on their views."  

Since 2024, co-founder of Southampton Independents Andrew Pope has listened to and stood up with residents of the Coxford / Maybush area (it depends on who you ask :) ) who live near to the derelict pub on Coxford Road.

The derelict pub is close to the Southampton General Hospital and is affected by hospital staff parking there, as is a very wide area going all the way from Romsey Road to Hill Lane, north and south of Winchester Road and in Shirley Warren. Andrew has confirmed this from listening to many residents of this area.

The latest proposal for the derelict pub was to develop the site, but the proposals were deeply flawed, residents told him. They did not understand why the Council had not rejected the planning application, because it did not improve on previous applications that had been refused.

Andrew added his voice to the objections to the planning application. He organised and ran a petition that local residents signed, and submitted this to the Council.

Andrew spoke up for residents at the July 2025 Planning meeting. What is not mentioned in the Echo report is that incredibly, Andrew observed the now ex-councillor Liberal Democrat George Percival, actually support the application, and shake the hands of the developer's representative at the Planning meeting. It turns out that Percival was committing a flagrant conflict of interest by mixing his occupation with his role as a councillor.

Andrew had previously asked the planning officer that the decision was made in public, so that planning officers could not make the decision bureaucratically and without public scrutiny. He also objected to the application and asked councillors to refuse it. 

The councillors were all from the big political parties: Labour, Tories, Liberal Democrats.

They approved the application despite the huge local objections that it should be refused and residents' views listened to. Southampton resident and supporter of Southampton Independents Felix, who attended the meeting with Andrew, said:

"This was the first planning meeting that I had ever been to. It seemed like the big party's councillors did not listen to Andrew or the residents who spoke at the meeting. They seemed to have made up their mind before the meeting.

But they did listen when Andrew demanded that the Park and Ride now be delivered, and not just be in strategy documents for even longer than the 12 years that Andrew has fought for it." 

Months passed. Nothing seemed to be happening, so Andrew wrote to the Agent of the developer for an update, who has confirmed today that the site will be developed from May at the earliest, due to delays in the legal agreements with the Council's planning officers, and further bat surveys. 

Bats are protected by law and are probably roosting in the derelict pub until May at the latest, "when the hibernation period for bats ends.", according to the Agent.

Andrew may not have stopped the proposal, but since 2024 he has worked hard to represent local residents, and he has had a victory on his 12-year Park and Ride campaign which has already reduced hospital parking and traffic. More details on that victory and his continuing campaign to make the Park and Ride be better, and hold the bus company, hospital and Labour-run Council to account, are on this website:

• here
•   here
•     and here.

Southampton Communities Say "Vote Andrew Pope Southampton Independents"

Southampton Independents is in the community.

Denise Wyatt
Southampton Independents Community Campaigner

Southampton Independents is from the community.

Southampton Independents work with the community.

That's why Southampton residents from Redbridge, Shirley, Millbrook, Portswood, Bevois, Freemantle and Coxford are saying:

"Vote 

Andrew Pope 

Southampton Independents"

Andrew Pope

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Clare from Coxford says: "If you want an MP that gets things done, vote for Andrew Pope to be the next MP for Southampton Test".

Clare from Coxford

Clare at Five Acres (a.k.a. Lordshill Rec or Lordshill Outdoor Recreation Ground).
Andrew has gained extra protection from development
by working with local residents

Steve from Redbridge says: "Andrew Pope listens to Southampton residents. He works for residents and with residents on the things that matter to them - not what Labour or Tories dictate from London."

Steve from Redbridge

Clare and Steve say:

"Vote 

Andrew Pope 

Southampton Independents!"

Southampton residents say:

"Vote 

Andrew Pope 

Southampton Independents!"

Look for the Southampton Independents Party Emblem on the ballot paper when you vote.

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