THE fate of The Hundred’s road closure in Romsey’s town centre should be decided in the summer, The Advertiser understands.

Hampshire County Council closed the road closed to traffic on July 1 last year in a bid to help people socially distance.

A county council consultation on traffic measures in Romsey has proposed keeping The Hundred closed and creating a one way system on nearby Portersbridge Street. Residents have now submitted their feedback on this idea.

A council spokesperson confirmed the results of the survey will be examined by the “Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment in the summer, when a decision will be made”.

One Romsey councillor, Mark Cooper, said after speaking to “hundreds of people over the last few weeks” there is clear demand for an alternative solution.

He has suggested to the county council that The Hundred could stay shut with barriers in place, but only for part of the day.

He explained: “I have formally asked the county if they will consider using a barrier system, which would be up between 10am and 4pm. That means The Hundred is open to pedestrians during the day and during rush hours traffic can pass through The Hundred and not have to go up Greatbridge Road for a two-mile diversion.

“The problem is the cost of it, because we would need to operate it several days a week to make it effective, which means we would need members of staff, so I am suggesting traffic wardens, Romsey Town Council staff and the town’s volunteer marshals could operate it.”

Cllr Cooper also has concerns about the plans for Portersbridge Street’s possible one way system, given how The Hundres’s closure has been handled so far. The Advertiser has already heard from residents of the street who feel it is a “rat run” as it stands because of the closure, even before any one way system.

While another borough councillor in the town, Dorothy Baverstock, argues the problems are not just practical. She feels the county council needs to act before May 17 - when indoor hospitality opens up again - for the sake of the town’s reputation and appeal to visitors.

She argued Romsey needs to look its “absolute best” by May 17: “I do not want Romsey to have plastic barriers up, which does not enhance the state of our high street.

“When I was last in town, it just looks as if roadworks were about to start.” Ms Baverstock added: “When people come to town, we want them to have the very best impression of what Romsey is about - it is not about plastic barriers. “Hampshire County Council, Test Valley Borough Council and the town council must work in tandem so it looks superb for visitors.”