Dear ALL! Please read the following email, which I received from Hampshire council Highways. None of which is good news, I am afraid. Unfortunately as I have already posted we are moving away, and it would be pointless for me to mount yet another battle on this subject. We still have had nobody respond to my request for a new Chairman or Treasurer. Unfortunately unless we start receiving some volunteers we will have no option than to close the facebook page and close the Bank account which means there will be no more funds available for events such as the Christmas carolling and childrens events. this will in turn effectively close down the residents association. TIME IS RUNNING OUT! Its your community so if you want a say on how its going to develop, you know what to do! Dear Mr Dickens, I would like to apologise for the impression that significant changes would be made to the Lynn Crescent and Hunts Pond Road junction(s) during the recent site meeting with Hampshire County Council (HCC), and Fareham Borough Council (FBC) representatives. During site visits engineers will routinely discuss potential options, and occasionally these discussions will be misunderstood as definitive decisions. When we assess road schemes, in addition to the inevitable funding constraints, we also have to consider the merits of the existing road layout, personal Injury accidents (PIAs), value for money, County Policy, legal framework, Police concerns, and County wide prioritisation of resources including ; project, design and construction resources. After pre-assessment site visits we have to make judgements on the requirements as discussed with the interested parties, and the criteria above, and then decide what interventions would be the most appropriate and proportionate response. Myself and two colleagues from Hampshire County Council Traffic Management, (Mr Oldham works as an agent for HCC via Fareham Borough Council), last week watched the traffic’s use of the northern junction for over an hour. We accept that the visibility is limited, but no more so than other junctions around the County, and the constrained nature of both junctions aids the reduction in traffic speeds and promotes sensible approach speeds and angles, which was observed. Our concern is that mini-roundabouts may increase conflict, with vehicles simply driving across them. It is likely that a roundabout could increase the amount of accidents, as drivers exercise their “right” of way rather than adopt the more cautious approach at the existing junction, creating a problem that does not currently exist. Mini roundabouts or separator islands would require junction reconstruction, including widening and kerb realignment, which we would not support. The personal injury accident record and our observations do not support the view that the junction is dangerous nor the significant expenditure that this would require. It would not be a case of simply painting a white roundel and implementing road signs. We would also hesitate to recommend a significant scheme of Double Yellow Lines as this is likely to cause inconvenience and conflict for residents and allotment users. We also consider that extensive lining might remove the passive calming (from parked vehicles) and relocate parking to less suitable zones, as I understand is already experienced in other parts of the estate. Also, extensive parking restrictions may open up the junction, encourage less caution, and actually increase road speeds. We find it odd that drivers would choose to park alongside the bollards or on the bend’s apex, though if this can be evidenced , then we would support a minimal yellow lining scheme on both sides of the road around the northern junction. Consideration will also need to be given to parking use by Blue Badge holders on double yellow lines, FBC’ s ability to enforce the waiting restrictions, and residents’ expectations of this enforcement. To start with, we would support a trial minimal approach – opposite house number 377, a “SLOW” road marking on Hunts Pond Road north bound alongside a ‘bend with side road ahead’ triangular warning sign. We will leave the progression of waiting restrictions, including those discussed further into the estate with Mr Oldham from FBC. It should be noted that FBC already has a significant list of prioritised waiting restriction requests for implementation during 2014/15, and unless the need for waiting restrictions is evidenced, then it is unlikely that this scheme would be progressed. Please be assured that, as with all parts of the road network in the County, where there are clusters or patterns of injury accidents with common causes reported, we investigate and mitigate where appropriate. We also regularly liaise with the Roads Policing Unit and investigate any areas of concern that they may have. We appreciate that the above conflicts with the understanding of earlier discussions, for which I again apologise, and hope you understand the actions proposed. Yours Sincerely Steve Faulkner Steve Faulkner Transport Planner Strategic Transport Economy, Transport & Environment Hampshire County Council [email protected] Winchester 01962 845072
Posted on: Sun, 06 Jul 2014 11:40:54 +0000
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