New Alresford News

New Farm Road

New Farm Road must have a new surface in 2009-10. Drainage is named as a priority by HCC but Jackie says it's taking too long to solve the risky wetspots. The gullies in Spring Gardens must be thoroughly cleared regularly, not just once, to ensure this stays dry and safe.

Salisbury Road

Salisbury road residents are divided but meanwhile the Giles Group for disabled Alresford residents and parents with school children struggle to walk on the pavements. A solution was suggested which wasn't acceptable to all - so this month County Officer has come up with another try, but I have a feeling that residents won't like this one either! See main story

Public Toilets

Winchester City Council threatens to close Public Toilets in Alresford unless Alresford residents pay up in their Town Council tax.

As we look at future proofing the town, the City council wants to take away a facility. It's ridiculous

Putting Pedestrians First.

Alresford seeks ways for residents to get to town, by foot, bike, buggy, car or bus.

The Alresford Town Partnership isn't an elected body but invites representatives from every community to be there to raise awareness of issues between partners. It works closely with partners to achieve things for the town. It is pleased to be part of the bid to SEEDA for the new car park and can't wait for it to be complete, but that's only part of the picture.

Current projects are:

Sun Lane bridge is still dangerous and PCSO's continue to support the after school club as they walk safely to the Chapel.

Reviews are to take place aat The Soke and route to Old Alresford

Bus service review with Bus Company- invitation to attend in March.

The Make it Safer Campaign with over 1000 signatures in the petition to the council continues to make small changes at the Crossroads in Alresford. A Pedestrian Survey has taken place there as the County Council examines the possibilities for a safer crossing, As a first step, the tree has been trimmed and signage has been tidied to give a clearer view for pedestrians and drivers The Bus stop markings have also been changed so it is now illegal to park on the corner of West Street, even for unloading. This makes it easier to see up the hill when crossing.

Petition to Hampshire County Council

Sarah Sibbald was joined by Debbie Hands when they made their petition to Hampshire County Council in September 08 to ‘’make our crossing safer’’ at The Dean/Jacklyn’s Lane, Pound Hill, West Street Crossroads.

Officers had been out and recommended changes following an examination of the accident records there, but in her stunning presentation, Sarah pointed out that the lighter colour surfacing just seemed to make matters worse!

Following the petition, HCC has admitted that the surface changes were not done as expected and more should be done.

Officers came twice at different times of day to Alresford to see how and where people crossed the crossroads, but unfortunately the second time, it poured with rain,

Jackie joined the Town Council Chairman, Ken Yeldham to meet the Giles Group to hear their ideas for changes there, and hopes to meet the HCC officer again in the early evening to see the site in the dark. Hopefully Sarah and Debbie will be there too.

Jackie says ‘there must be something we can do to make this area feel safer, especially for the very elderly and the young. We don’t want traffic lights, but we do want a safe place to cross. We want to give a clear message to drivers that Pedestrians Come First in Alresford.

Officers have agreed to carry out pedestrian counts all along West Street and up Pound Hill to help them design a scheme.

Jackie says ‘ I reluctantly accepted that this count may have to be held up until after the new Car Park is in place, but that may be a little delayed now, so we must get on with this count as it will indicate who, where and why people cross here’.

The Salisbury Road trees debate

The Lime trees in Salisbury Road (and Grange, Rosebery and Bridge Roads) have got too big for their boots and the tree roots have affected the footway and in some cases, the boundary walls of adjoining properties too. A variety of solutions has been suggested- sometimes views differ in the same household!

Why a debate?

A few years ago, a resident complained that he couldn’t take his wife for a walk in her wheelchair and local parents who want to walk their children to school end up walking in the road to avoid the very bumpy footway surface which has narrowed to less than 50cm wide in some cases.

So some funding has been found to tackle this problem, initially in Salisbury Road.

Firstly to dispel some myths:

• The County wants to keep as many trees as possible: they are healthy, and provide tree cover for birds, shade, are ecologically sound, healthy specimens and give real character to the road.
• The footways are not suitable surfaces on which to walk
• The public do want to walk safely - the problem affects not just the homeowners but also those who use the route.
• The majority of householders do not have significant damage to their properties: currently some do have damage, but only to the boundary walls

A walk and talk session with residents on Saturday 20th September brought forward a new approach to the problem from local residents themselves. Having seen the articles in newspapers only last Friday the results of research that people make friends more easily in car free streets ( Guardian- September 19th) some asked: perhaps this is a good time to restore residential roads back to the pedestrians ?

As users walk in the road already, and the road is lightly used by drivers, residents have suggested the Shared Space concept for the road, taking away the sharp division between the pavement and the road at the kerb and giving the driver a clear indication that in this road, by an entrance surface change, a flat road surface from side to side and clear signage that the Pedestrian must come first.

This is a familiar refrain in Alresford and indeed is the mantra of the Town Partnership: Putting Pedestrians First.

I like the idea of shared space in Salisbury Road. It could solve the problems, actually legitimising what happens already and bringing it to drivers’ attention.

It would cost less money that the original proposal of building islands round some trees and cutting out others (not an easy thing to do with underground roots entwined with services, cables etc) and could even be introduced into all of the ‘problem’ roads at the same time!

So what are the difficulties?

• Work would need to take place to ensure good drainage
• Damaged boundaries need repair, probably under insurance or by agreement with HCC
• Those residents with disabilities need to feel confident using the shared space, and must not feel put off going out.
• This is also true for carers pushing young children in pushchairs and wheelchairs
• Traffic engineers get panicky about risk and insurance when cars don’t stick to the new rules.

What are the advantages?

• Better green environment
• Less disruption to services = less cost
• Better deal for cyclists too
• More use of the available space for all users

I am going to encourage debate about this at HCC and in the town to see if we can Put Pedestrians First in Salisbury Road. What do you think? Let me know. downhouseporter@btinternet.com

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