A HIGHWAYS engineer has stepped in to arrange a compromise between a housing developer and furious North Warnborough residents facing a nine-hour-a-day ban on driving down their own street.

Two weeks ago, the residents of Queen's Road received a letter from contractors Hillboulder, carrying out sewer work for the nearby Buffton Fields development for Persimmon homes, stating that no vehicular access would be possible between 7.45am and 4.30pm for eight weeks.

Odiham parish councillor Terry Catt, who lives in Queen's Road, said the hours were unreasonable and impossible for elderly residents and those with families.

He added: "To expect residents to vacate their homes and have their cars moved by 7.45am every morning for two months or be confined in their homes until 4.30pm was a totally unacceptable proposal."

The letter followed a similar disagreement a month ago when the road was shut for eight hours a day, without county council approval.

But, when it was authorised, residents were angry that it exceeded the parish council's request for it to be closed only from 8.30am to 4pm.

However, after meeting with a Hillboulder representative, Phil Samms, the assistant chief engineer of Hampshire Highways North, told the residents that, after negotiation, "a fair compromise" had been reached.

Mr Samms said the working hours would be restricted to those put forward by the parish, and the works were programmed to last six weeks - not eight as stated in the letter.

He added that he would keep "a close eye" on progress to ensure the developer complied with the conditions of the closure.

Cllr Catt said: "I have spoken to fellow residents and they feel that the terms are a fair compromise."

A spokeswoman for Persimmon Homes told The Gazette that hours stated in the letter to residents had been "an error" and that Queen's Road would actually only be closed between 9.15am and 3.30pm.

She added: "We will endeavour to finish the necessary works in the shortest time possible, with the least possible inconvenience to residents."