Keep going: That was the consensus following a key meeting of council and business figures with Whitehill and Bordon’s long-term regeneration plans coming under renewed scrutiny.

The recent meeting of the Bordon Taskforce brought together senior representatives from the NHS, Hampshire County Council, East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) and local developers. Together they reviewed the progress on transport, health and town centre improvements.

Many existing and new residents have become impatient with the lack of substantial progress in W&B after the promises of a new town centre, cinema and shops.

There have been recent positives like work finally beginning on the new Sainsbury’s, the leisure centre set for an aquatic extension and funding for a new Youth Hub at Oakmoor School being secured. There’s also been improvements to Hollybrook play area and the old fire station is now in community hands.

However, Greg Stafford MP warned that “delivery must not stall now”, highlighting concerns over transport and healthcare delays.

He welcomed enhancements to the number 18 and 13 bus routes and plans for new real-time information displays, but said rail-bus connectivity remains a major challenge.

“The Government appears more interested in ideological restructuring than practical change,” he said. “We need certainty and investment, not constant reinvention.”

Health provision dominated discussions, with frustration mounting over delays to the town’s long-promised Health Hub. Mr Stafford said progress is being “stifled by rigid financial restrictions” within the NHS, and confirmed he will write to the Department of Health and HM Treasury to raise concerns.

EHDC deputy leader Cllr Andy Tree said securing long-term healthcare provision “must be the number one priority”.

Mr Stafford added that the next Taskforce meeting will be a “crucial test of progress”, saying stronger intervention may be needed if regeneration momentum stalls.