Potholes, hospital access and public transport emerged as key concerns for Andover residents as voters headed to the polls in the Hampshire County Council elections on Thursday, May 7.
Across the town, residents spoke about road repairs, transport links, healthcare provision and long-awaited regeneration projects as they cast their votes.
Mark Farren, sharing his own views on the election, stated that he "appreciates that this is a short term council" as they are only serving around two years, but he hopes that they can begin to work on improving the roads around Andover.
He said: "Like most people in Andover, I'd settle for them not getting worse and it's like that with a lot of things, I appreciate in two years I appreciate you are not going to be able to make anything better but if nothing else make efforts to stop them getting worse."
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He added that he hoped the unitary authorities would be "given the powers that they need to make Andover better" and that "the people we elect on them have the voices to speak out on behalf of the people of Andover so that the town can begin that upwards trend to make it a really cool place to live".
One couple said road maintenance remained their biggest frustration.
They said: “Potholes being fixed is the big one, and getting grass verges maintained would also be good.
“We would also like them to get on with the development they have been talking about for years.
“The magistrates’ court building has been derelict, I’ve been back in Andover for 15 years and the scaffolding is still an eyesore.”
The couple added that many people were feeling frustrated with politics and wanted to see visible improvements in the town.
Jane Sampson, 50, of Junction Road, also highlighted road conditions as a key issue.
She said: “The main issue, as ever, has been potholes, I think everyone has been affected.
“But we also need more bus routes across the town, as it can be quite difficult to get around without a car.”
Long-time Andover resident Martin Hill, 62, said while there had been some progress locally, more work was still needed.
He said: “We have a lot of issues here in Andover that need fixing or maintaining.
“Whilst I think there have been some improvements, such as the roads starting to get better, we still have a long way to go as a town.
“I would like to think that whoever is elected will get what’s needed done to the best of their ability.”
Healthcare provision was another concern raised by voters.
Maggie Jones, 66, of Vigo Road, said: “My biggest concern in Andover is that we don’t have large enough hospitals.
“You have to travel to Basingstoke or Winchester, and that is a massive shame.”
She also pointed to concerns around street lighting and feeling safe after dark.
Meanwhile, Mr and Mrs Collins, both 79, stressed the importance of voting.
They said: “We always vote, it is your duty.
“These young people who say they don’t want to vote because things won’t change are wrong.”
The couple also praised improvements made to the Vigo roundabout.
Votes were due to be counted on the evening of May 7, with results expected in the early hours of May 8.
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