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Relief for businesses and charity as road reopens

New Forest National Park Authority An aerial shot of a dual carriageway lined by green trees on both sides. New Forest National Park Authority
The A31 was closed for nearly two weeks while firefighters tackled the blaze in the New Forest

Businesses and organisations hit by the closure of a dual carriageway at the centre of a wildfire have expressed their relief at the road's reopening.

A major incident was declared after a van fire on the A31 near Ringwood on 9 August went on to destroy about 1.6 sq km (0.6 sq miles) of heathland, prompting a near two-week closure of the route, which links Bournemouth and Southampton

Furzey Gardens, a charity-run centre for people with learning disabilities in Minstead said visitors fell by 50%, resulting in a loss of £25,000.

National Highways reopened the road on Saturday, though a 40mph speed limit remains on the eastbound carriageway due to a damaged central reservation barrier.

Minstead Trust Adam Dodd, a man with short brown hair, is pictured in a posed headshot in front of a bush with pink flowers.Minstead Trust
Adam Dodd said the closure resulted in the loss of £25,000 at Furzey Gardens, a centre that supports people with learning disabilities in Minstead

Adam Dodd, chief executive of Minstead Trust, which operates Furzey Gardens, near Lyndhurst, said the closure had come at a "really important" time of the year for the charity.

He said: "£25,000 is probably the amount it takes for us to get seven or eight people into paid employment, so it's a really significant loss.

"And that's the loss in just two weeks. It comes at the end of a summer that's been really tough, and probably the losses across that time are about four times that."

He encouraged people to support the work of the gardens by visiting or making donations.

David Satchell, who runs The Red Shoot, a pub and campsite near Ringwood, said he had seen a downturn of about 25% over the period of the closure.

"We were very lucky because we have the campsite next door," he said. "So we had some people coming in and it was worth us staying open to serve guests. And we had some excellent regulars who came across, but it was a significant impact."

Eleanor Kemp One side of a dual carriageway is pictured. Cars can be seen passing by while, in the background, thick smoke bellows into the sky from beyond tall green trees. Eleanor Kemp
The New Forest wildfire eventually covered the equivalent of about 230 football pitches

He said the financial hit meant the pub had to reduce staff during the closure.

Meanwhile, staff at an Esso petrol station on the road said it had been one of the worst period's in the business's history.

They said it experienced no trade during the closure and was unable to receive deliveries.

National Highways said it plans to complete permanent repairs to safety barriers during a series of full overnight closures in September

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