FURIOUS residents expressed their concerns over planned road works and travel disruptions around areas in Ascot.

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSE) held its community engagement meeting on March 29 to talk about its project to local residents between Ascot and Chobham.

At a cost of £7.4 million, the project aims to support a better power supply in the area through the undergrounding of sections of cables.

Councillor David Hilton, principal member for regeneration in Ascot, said: "Proper consultation should have taken place some weeks before they [SSE] started work, and there should have been large signs around Ascot warning motorists that this congestion would arrive, so they can take alternate routes."

Residents support this view and feel they were not informed enough about the proposed works.

Lori McNeill, Ascot resident, said: "I am concerned that the private road near Brockenhurst Road will be used as a rat run.

"It will be closed in 100 meter sections and at that point, people will have to be diverted."

Parents expressed their worries on how their children will get to school time as currently students are late by 45 minutes due to traffic on Ascot High Street.

Richard Holgate, operations director for Fernhill Travel and White Buses, said: "I think the information we have received up until now is quite vague and not overly helpful - we have endured serious delays down Ascot high street.

"You obviously see signs on the roads about the works starting, but it was never made clear just what the impact would be until it started.

However Cllr Hilton believes a 'compromise' will be reached between no road works during school examinations.

Despite this. local traders feel upset with the communication they received and feel the travel disruptions will affect their business.

Joy McDonnell, Coco boutique owner, said: "I have already ordered thousands of pounds worth of stock. Summer is our season and we have lots of clients that we will just lose out on. It is unbelievable."

Anthony Horne, project manager at SSE, said: “The project team has worked closely with local businesses, residents and local authorities, and will continue to do so to ensure the smooth running and progress of, not just these upgrade works, but also the planned, local activities along the project route over the coming months.

“It’s always the aim of SSEN to minimise disruption, while maximising the safety of our colleagues and our customers who may be in the vicinity of this project.

“Letter drops will be carried out to homes and businesses to update them on the phases of the project as it reaches their immediate area and, as some of the areas of the upgrade may lead to minor traffic management systems being used temporarily, details will be posted on www.roadworks.org.”