AN ANDOVER road has remained closed for more than half a year after a building fire left the area unsafe.

As previously reported, firefighters were called to the former Anton Laundry building, in Marlborough Street, at around 3pm on Saturday, May 27 2023.

Crews from Andover, Dorset and Wiltshire battled the fire for almost three hours.

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Following the fire, Marlborough Street has been closed for more than seven months, with works underway to make the derelict building and surrounding site safe.

 

Andover Advertiser: Old Anton laundry, Marlborough StreetOld Anton laundry, Marlborough Street (Image: Kiran Sajan)

The Advertiser understands Marlborough Street will remain closed until some form of structure has been put in place to support the building.

As the building leans towards Marlborough Street, a proposed supporting structure will need to be signed off by a structural engineer before the road can be reopened. 

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No date for the reopening of Marlborough Street has yet been given, despite the fire happening more than seven months ago in May 2023.

It has previously been reported that the temporary road closure had been set up by Hampshire County Council's highways team under the advice of Test Valley Borough Council's building control team, with the borough council and the owner of the damaged property liaising to make the building safe.

Once the borough council is satisfied that the risk of possible collapse is removed, the road can be reopened.

Test Valley Borough Council and Hampshire County Council have been contacted for comment.