Public consultation traffic calming 2006

The Parish Council has been increasingly concerned about the traffic situation on Liphook Road and in particular the effect that the new Chase Road development will have on an already serious problem.  Knowing that other Lindford residents have similar concerns, we organised a public meeting to involve everyone in the village in the recommendations that we sent to the Highways Development Control Team at Hampshire County Council.  The strength of feeling about Liphook Road is reflected in the fact that 18 villagers attended the meeting on 6 September, making it one of the most successful that we have held recently.

It was agreed at the beginning that we should consider the whole length of the road from Lindford Bridge to Headley Mill.  After a brief introduction about the well-known problems and some possible types of traffic calming, we split into four groups for a quarter of an hour to discuss what we would like to see implemented.  We then wrote up on a flipchart the suggestions from each group.  There was an encouraging amount of agreement about possible measures.  Building on these points of contact, we came up with a consensus about our representation to the Highways Development Team.

It hardly needs to be recorded that everyone wants a 30mph speed limit through the village.  The Parish Council has been told by Hampshire Police that this cannot be implemented until there are traffic calming measures in place.  According to one resident, this is not true in London, where a speed limit can just be instituted if it is considered necessary.  There are instances nearer to Lindford where it seems that the rules are different, but we have to work with what we have been told.

The final list of agreed bullet points that was sent to the Highways Development Team are:

• Flashing 30mph signs placed at both ends of the village.
• A roundabout at the Royal Exchange crossroads. If this is not possible, we suggest a change in the road layout which would give Headley Road the priority.
• Marked parking bays, for example using part of the verge outside Cricket Lea and extending into the road, to effectively narrow the road and slow down traffic.
• A safe crossing (preferably a zebra crossing) between the Elmfield Court shops and the Royal Exchange crossroads. One or both of the bus stops could be moved if necessary.
• Small pinch points at certain intervals along the whole road from the Royal Exchange to Headley Mill.
• A weight restriction for lorries using village roads as a cut through. Signs indicating this restriction would need to be carefully located so that drivers still have an optional route before entering the village.

The Parish Council meeting in October ratified these measures and we informed the Highways Development Team of the result of our public consultation.  Our letter ended "Councillors and residents ask that, for the safety and well being of the Village, each of these recommendations be seriously considered".  So far we have had an email (in early October) thanking us for the ideas, and saying that a response will be made shortly.

A big thank you to all those who participated in September and we sincerely hope that the views that the residents of the village expressed will be taken into consideration.