Accessibility Scheme in Whitchurch

Over the last couple of years work has been ongoing on an Accessibility Scheme to improve safety and access within Whitchurch.

It is a Hampshire County Council scheme using funding from various developers and HCC have been liaising closely with both Whitchurch and Basingstoke local councils. That liaison in itself is fairly unusual and is to be highly commended.

I have been one of the Whitchurch Councillors involved (along with BDBC and HCC) and who also pushed for local input. 

I believe the proposals made by Hampshire are very good as they incorporate many wishes of local residents and also address many of the issues raised within the Whitchurch Neighbourhood Plan and other adopted policies.

The scheme is made up of many smaller projects from footpath improvements to traffic calming measures, safer routes to schools and cycle routes in town and to the countryside.

While everyone will have their own views, above all I believe they put PEOPLE FIRST.


THE SCHEME'S OVERVIEW: 

• To improve accessibility and safety in Whitchurch, this scheme will comprise of the following;
• Improve pedestrian facilities from residential area to local schools; 
• Improve cycle access across the town centre;
• Enhance pedestrian safety for existing crossing points with signage and road markings;
• Improve the A34 Tufton junction with additional traffic management.

Details of schemes can all be seen here:
WHITCHURCH ACCESSIBILITY PROJECTS

HCC have recently undertaken a Consultation.

I support the scheme (See added comments though)
At the time of writing (April 2020) Whitchurch Town Council's or Basingstoke Borough Council's official responses were not available. 

(UPDATE: Support has subsequently been given)

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RESPONSE TO CONSULTATION

Submitted Friday 17th April (items in italics are subsequently added comments)
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General Comments:

Q. ONE (Free text field in Consultation)

The town would become much more pleasant and safer in which to live with my family. Removing many of the detrimental impacts of traffic that make local journeys hazardous for day to day journeys between homes and essential services, shops, schools, the surgery, workplaces and the countryside is essential for a safe, viable and prosperous community. We would use local services more, shop locally and reduce need to travel so much elsewhere.

General Comments:

Q. TWO (Free text field in Consultation)

The town is dominated by motor traffic which makes safe travel by other means dangerous and unpleasant. It suffers from excessive traffic and narrow pavements. Both walking and cycling are hazardous. The roads and traffic dominate the town when priority should be 'people first'. There is no enforcement of traffic speed and crossing roads is fraught with danger especially for the less mobile, while cycling sees vehicles trying to squeeze past, adding danger to the most vulnerable as well as frustrations to drivers. Much pavement driving (and parking) also takes place.

General Commenta:

Q. THREE (Free text field in Consultation)

These projects will make walking and cycling much more safer and encourage less local motor vehicle use making Whitchurch a more pleasant place to live. They will improve access to shops, businesses, schools, workplaces, essential services, and the countryside, and enhance both liveability and the local economy.

People need to be put first and be able to feel safe when moving around.

*** NOTES ON INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS ***

1. Prince Regent Steps

Supported, but without comment, although noted there is an alternative route.

2 (a). Winchester Road Build out

Supported. This build-out will make road crossing easier and safer as well as slowing traffic at a crucial points. It is an important crossing between a busy footpath to/from housing, the Recreation Ground, Schools and Parks on one side, and to the Silk Mill, Community Centre, Library and Car Park on the other.

This section of road is notorious for fast traffic.

(This installation also helps drivers see pedestrians. Tactile paving and drop kerbs also help sight impaired and those with mobility scooters, pushchairs, etc) 

2 (b). Footpath to Recreation Ground

Supported. The path levels here cause puddles which are very difficult to traverse (and they freeze in winter) – even to the extent of a plank being provided at times. Lighting is poor as obstructed by trees. These improvements are badly needed.

3. London Road build out / crossing (updated)

Supported. This will greatly enhance safety on crossing on an important route to the Primary School. 

Update: After input from residents and also a HCC redesign, this project was subsequently removed. 

Whitchurch Town Council withdrew support for this particular project after a number of objections, although still recognised that safety issues need addressing. 

A call for consideration for a school patrol crossing has been passed to HCC.

4. Micheldever Road

Supported. Traffic speed here is much too fast – the build out will help reduce speeds and provide a safer crossing from Testbourne School to/from housing areas. 

(It is also a link between from school area to Skatepark (after school use) and Knowlings area to Testbourne Gym and onwards. Tactile paving and drop kerbs help sight impaired and those with mobility scooters, pushchairs, etc) 

5. Alliston Way

Supported. The Alliston Way/McFauld shared-use route will make this section much safer especially at school time when vehicles mount pavements almost daily. Head on conflicts are commonplace at all times and the pull-in will help that. This should encourage more to walk/cycle to the schools rather than drive. 

(drivers regularly drive along the pavement. The dragons teeth should also prevent this)

6. McFauld Way

Supported. As above, plus it removes conflict in the housing area by provision of the new access route to the school. The extra parking is also supported.

Note: This whole area including The Knowlings is also fraught with parking problems and permit parking may be another solution (in addition to the proposals). Enforcement of pavement/bend parking is needed.

7. Evingar Road/Wells Lane crossroads

Supported to help stop pavement mounting. 

(tactile paving and drop kerbs help sight impaired and those with mobility scooters, pushchairs, etc) 

8. Newbury Road

Supported. Traffic here is too fast. Physical calming would be preferred.

9. B3400/Hillside

Supported. This is an important link from Lynch Hill Park towards the schools via Hillside. Could the 20mph area be moved east of the build out as it is on a brow of a hill and also include the Lynch Hill park junction (as it was originally planned to do). 

(tactile paving and drop kerbs help sight impaired and those with mobility scooters, pushchairs, etc) 

 10. Church Street

Supported. Road surface is poor and a crossing dropped kerb to the only accessible footpath along the river in town is much needed.

(tactile paving and drop kerbs help sight impaired and those with mobility scooters, pushchairs, etc)  

11. Daniel Road Footway

Supported.

(school access with pushchairs, scooters enhanced and conflicts with traffic removed) 

 12. Tufton – Whitchurch

Supported. The shared use route to Tufton will massively improve safety for walking/cycling on a very popular route linking the town to the countryside on what is a very fast and wide national limit road and junction.

Families and others use this to reach Tufton/the River areas and the Test Valley countryside towards Longparish.

13. A34 Slip Road

Supported. The work here is essential to remove that high risk of head on collisions at the Tufton Nun’s Walk turning.

ALL SCHEMES ARE SUPPORTED (with the comments above)