A rant on traffic conflicts

Today - a short rant.

Today I've been reading a number of articles and postings mainly on social media about increasing conflicts between those driving motor vehicles and those walking or riding bikes – "those cyclists hold me up, they are in the way, they slow me down", go the arguments!

Polarised discussion leads to tensions
All too often it seems in such discussions opinions become very polarised and can degenerate into a verbal aggression that does nothing other than send participants mumbling away into a deep rage of increasing tension.

Traffic affects us all and indeed is the most raised issue in our own Whitchurch Neighbourhood Plan. Everyone wants to get where they want to go NOW - without any delays, hindrances, or inconvenience. That is a natural and understandable expectation after we have enjoyed many years of an unhindered 'freedom of movement'.

But times are changing and that freedom is becoming more difficult to maintain.

Headlines are more important than local action
Massive investment in million-pound headline-grabbing transport schemes, that have little effect on local journeys, are crippling our system and the country's finances. While billions are poured into reducing congestion at particular roundabouts and large junctions little is carried out at local level - to the pavements, walkways, cycleways and safe road crossing points.
Even if that massive multi-million pound grade separated gyratory is fast flowing, what use is it if you are blocked in at your own local front gate and cannot even reach it?

The vulnerable suffer most
Frustrations set in as this garden gate local congestion worsens. Tensions increase, fists get waved and dangers rise. The resultant mix leads to the most vulnerable usually suffering the worst consequences. Those who walk to school and the shops or cycle to local workplace have difficulty crossing roads, or dealing with increasingly aggressive road users. Drivers squeeze past each other or mounting the  narrow Whitchurch pavements, while cyclists also take to footways in fear of their lives. None of this is good for the pedestrians trying to go about their daily lives.

Soundbites matter. Or do they?
Working together on integrated plans is essential, but our 'leaders' too often seek quick soundbite wins - ones that too often blame victims for not adapting while they fail to address the direct causes.
Its not just in traffic management/investment we are seeing this, but throughout other strands of society too - health, education, welfare, policing.

Meanwhile our they throw out a hi-viz here or print a leaflet there along with a press statement claiming how much they are 'doing'.

Meanwhile years pass, and we STILL wait for a safe route to Wells-in-the-Field.Come on hampshire County Council – this needs sorting NOW.

Is giving up the right option?
Today someone said they were "giving up cycling" – in some aspects an understandable reaction given the worsening state of our roads but is giving up a good option for a healthy, safe or sustainable future.

Over 80% of 'cyclists' are also drivers and nearly every driver is also a pedestrian. This issue goes deep  into both the respect and care we have for each other while trying to live in a culture where government seems to give cares little for either.

Need for an integrated approach
All road users are on 'the same side' whatever mode of travel they choose. Let's remove those conflicts by understanding where the dangers are and addressing them realistically by an integrated approach.I'm hoping our Neighbourhood Plan may help here.
Only then can we create a pleasant safe environment for everyone.

Here endeth today's rant.

More Heads on the Block

Having started off a project to improve communications – the time came to actually do it and a series of sessions are being arranged at the Town Hall.

Walking around town I get approached by people who raise various issues that they believe "The Council" should fix. These rangefrom the size of lorries and the need for affordable homes, to the clocks changing and the costs of eggs.

While chatting in the street is useful, it can be a bit hit and miss. 

Some things can be taken forward (not just clocks) but many can't and it can be very frustrating for everyone concerned. The Town Council does not have very many 'powers', but it can have 'influence' and it can pass on residents' needs and opinions to the appropriate bodies with some degree of authority.
So chat to your Councillors!
All Councillors are available and accessible and their contact details are on the Town Council's website, but this can also be built upon through open these sessions

Let's ensure local views are heard.

The recently approved Communication Plan aims to do just that.

Keep an eye out for its activities.
Or send a message.

The Edge Project

The Edge Project? What's that?

It has just completed its first of two years at the Silk Mill, and this was an invitation to learn what it was all about, and what had been achieved. I had heard of it but knew little of its detail. It was to be an eye-opener.

Young people often have a 'Mixed Press' but this was more than interesting, and it was here, right in the centre of Whitchurch.
This Lottery-funded project is best explained by an extract from its website:

'The EDGE Project is Hampshire Museums and Galleries Trust initiative which gives young people the opportunity to organise and run events. These events can be almost anything, there is just one condition: They have to be staged in or around a Hampshire Museum, Art Centre, Discovery Centre, Theatre, Library or Gallery.'

In Whitchurch it is at the Silk Mill.

The evening's introduction by local co-ordinator Zoe Vinery gave an insight to all the wonderful activities and events arranged over the last year from building a Dyer's Garden and Mini-Beast trail, to running a mad-hatters tea party and easter egg hunt. Over 3,700 people had been engaged during The Edge Project events over the year and it had provided massive confidence building and experience for young people from the Whitchurch area and beyond.

Elliot Burns was one who had become involved and he showed a tempting preview of a film he has been working on at the Mill - 'The Water Ghost' – it sent some shivers through a few of those watching. When can we see the rest of it?

Time was then allowed to enjoy the refreshments, talk to some of the young people involved, and to look around the Mill at various displays of work by the Project.
These included the wonderful D-Day 70 Commemorative Silk designed by placement student Hannah Futcher, and the weirdly colourful 'Power of Water' installation in the river created with the Primary School.
Go and have a look for yourself to work out what it does.

The presentation concluded with a short film showing some of the skills of weaving, and the creation of the WWI Commemorative Silk. See:
MAKING THE WWI COMMEMORATIVE SILK

Meanwhile Zoe also modelled a special silk poppy which has been designed to raise funds in conjunction with the Royal British Legion.

Our Deputy Mayor Barry Jackman also attended along with various helpers and volunteers at the Mill for what was a very informative and relaxing evening in a terrific setting – but my lasting memory will be the discovery of all the creative work that has been going on on our doorstep and how this is all so very worthwhile.

Projects such as this that allow young people to take control of activities and which develop their skills while giving something back to the community need all our support.
Why not pop along to the Mill to find out more.
Website:
THE EDGE PROJECT IN WHITCHURCH

Lights, Camera, Action...

Become a Film Star - be famous the world over.

But more of that later.

Of the subjects that seem to raise most cackles in Whitchurch, the mention of dogs and the mess their owners sometimes allow them to leave must rate amongst the highest.
Few can fail to be disgusted by the deposits left on pavements, parks and open spaces – and it must be one of the most complained about issues in the town.

It only takes one
Most dog owners take their responsibilities of ownership seriously, but it only takes one who fails to clear up to cause problems for all.
Despite press articles, promotions, notices, posters and competitions, there remain a few who continue to show a complete lack of regard towards others. They just do not care and every day fresh deposits appear.

The Town Council office receives numerous complaints but with limited resources and a lack of available enforcement from Basingstoke and Deane, the problem continues.

Is it time for a different approach?
As deterrents are not working perhaps it is time for a hard-hitting focused campaign to catch and actively prosecute the culprits. 
Threats of large fines and the resultant shame hold no weight with those who habitually stick the two fingers up to social responsibility. With no enforcement they know they can do so with impunity.
But what if they were being watched and recorded, as has apparently been implemented elsewhere?

Smile Please, you are on camera
Hart District Council, Basingstoke's neighbours to the east, has been reported as having used two £200 mobile cameras. They claim a reduction in offending by 60%.
With courts also now giving much more weight to video evidence, even when taken by individuals, perhaps Whitchurch should follow in Hart's footsteps.

There is a news story about Hart's 'enforcement' here:

DAILY ECHO REPORT ON DOG CAMERAS

As much as I dislike the culture of increasing CCTV, in this case I believe that such outlay may be  worthwhile and am pleased that the Town Council is now to investigate it as a possibility for Whitchurch.
What do others think?

...and, if implemented, does anyone have a name for the subsequent film?

A Scourge of our Whitchurch Pavements?

When it comes to safety on our pavements those riding bicycles often receive much condemnation.  I have little time for those who endanger pedestrians and they give cycling a very bad name, but are they the greatest risk?

A young lady was recently seen to ride the full length of Winchester Street on the pavement - but was it because she was frightened of how the roads are used today? Had it been instilled into her at a young age how dangerous 'roads' are? If that's the case, shouldn't we be addressing that danger?

Driving on pavements 
While pavement cycling often receives the harshest complaints drivers seem to be able drive on and park on our pavements and verges with impunity, causing obstructions and increasing dangers to all who move around on foot – whether it be for shopping, taking children to school, or going to work.
It is not the 'roads' which are dangerous but how they are used.

Regular obstructions
Yet the same laws that apply to cycling also apply to motor vehicles – a very old Highways Act of 1835 – but every day in Whitchurch vehicles are seen driving onto and being parked on pavements. The town's social media regularly sees complaints, yet the practice continues and little or no action is taken.

Over-sized vehicles
However, many of the problems are by the drivers of over-sized commercial vehicles, complete with few safety features and many blind spots. These have been allowed to become far too large for the streets and narrow footways of a small rural town like Whitchurch.

They drive across road corners, crack kerbstones, knock down street furniture, break paving slabs, damage inspection covers and even swipe pieces off our historic buildings.

All this is at a massive cost both in physical damage and quality of life. Children, the elderly, and those with sight and mobility difficulties are most at risk.

Streets are for people
Streets are for all people but is this something we have allowed to be lost; and need to redress? The Town Council has responded where it can but has very limited powers, however it can try and influence the decision makers on behalf of local residents.

Access must remain
Many people do need to drive into and around town. It needs to be easy for those whose livelihood and lifestyles require access and this must remain. Deliveries and access for essential services must be able to continue, but the impact on safety,  damage and the fabric of out town must also be addressed.

Prevention
In a number of places dragons teeth – chamfered wooden posts – have been installed in verges to prevent anti-social and illegal parking; the most recent being in Winchester Road. These protect the ground, reduce obstructions and help maintain our open space but what else could be done? How can we return our footways to places for safe walking, rather than for the dodging of the motor vehicle?

What could be done?
Perhaps placing restrictions on HGV sizes at certain times of the day? Maybe banning large vehicles that don't have side protection bars? Perhaps a rogues gallery of pavement parking? Maybe reporting of commercial companies that put our safety in danger? Perhaps even employing a Whitchurch 'warden' who could issue on the spot penalties?

Any ideas would be very welcome.

The next time it may not just be a bollard that is knocked over.

Community SpeedWatch - some thoughts

Last week I attended a Community SpeedWatch meeting in Basingstoke.  It was quite eye opening on several levels, given that it can be a contentious subject.

The following are my personal views from that meeting.

Firstly it was very well-attended with a mix of representatives from existing groups, and several just trying to find out more.

The meeting was led by Chief Superintendent Dave Powell who has overall responsibility for the schemes in Hampshire.

Driver education
SpeedWatch schemes are designed for educating drivers rather than enforcement. Presently the volunteers record drivers who exceed limits then log these with the Police. Drivers may then receive advisory letters and visits, but SpeedWatch in itself does not lead to prosecutions.

However it was also made clear that the Police are intending to make better use of the information from SpeedWatch, perhaps as intelligence for locations for enforcement by the Police Roads Policing Unit that could lead to legal proceedings for speeding.

Starting a Scheme
Setting up a scheme is fairly easy. There needs to be six volunteers including a local Coordinator, ownership or access to a SID (Speed Indicator Device) and ancillary equipment, plus support from the Parish/Town Council.
Total outlay is in the region of £2500 for the equipment with match funding of £1000 presently available for around 70 new schemes from the Police. Ongoing costs are small – just maintenance and new pencils. To break a misconception, no hair dryers are required.
Volunteers need to complete an application form, be approved by the Police and undergo training – and a scheme can be set up within a couple of months.

Locations
The local SpeedWatch groups select the locations which are then checked to ensure they are suitable on safety grounds - for insurance purposes. SpeedWatch can take place in 40, 30, and 20mph areas.
I wonder where would be best in Whitchurch?
Winchester Street? Newbury Hill? Evingar Road? London Road? 

Some concerns
Despite reassurances, I came away with some niggling concerns, particularly after one attendee wanted a more 'Police-like' uniform – the word vigilante came to mind.
That scares me more than a bit. But speeding is a crime, it frightens people, and is a factor in many deaths and injuries.
I have also heard of someone who thinks it should be used for collecting information for other uses other than driver education. Is that a valid use of SpeedWatch? I'm unsure. There is a risk people with hidden agendas could become involved.

I also question whether the finance should instead go towards more local policing, but looking at the limited funds being made available, and seeing the massive cuts being made to the Police, that would look to be pie-in-the-sky.

I am undecided
At the moment I am very much keeping an open mind as despite my concerns there are benefits too. Road crashes are the biggest single killer of our young people and excess speed is very often a cause. I oppose the cuts that the Police force is presently suffering and question some of the priorities being set by our Government and County Council.

For what it's worth: MY CONCLUSION 
I have reservations, unless it is controlled and managed fairly, used correctly, and there is full trust in those running it.

You could not make this up

Should an 8-year old to walk to school over two miles along one of Hampshire's worst roads?

Rotten Hill on the B3400 between Laverstoke and Overton is one of the most feared roads in the area, and indeed was recently reported as having the third worst collision rate in Hampshire and worst in the Basingstoke & Deane Borough. Collisions are many, near misses even more, while vehicles often mount the poorly maintained unlit roadside pavement.
Yet a mother is reported as being expected to allow her 8-year old son to walk over two miles along this dangerous road to reach his Primary School in Overton. She has reported that the County Council have informed her they are removing the previously provided pupil taxi-service, despite her suffering a medical condition that prevents driving herself.

Further danger to come
The road is already treacherous, and will become even more so with the opening of the Bombay Sapphire Distillery and Visitors Centre, which is expected to attract over 100,000 visitors a year, plus hundreds of extra lorry and coach movements.

And that is before taking into account the massive increases in housing planned in both Whitchurch and Overton together with its associated employment and school traffic journeys.

Not fit for purpose
So welcome to the world of HCC's road safety strategies. Requests to improve this road go ignored - yet this road is not fit for purpose. The County takes millions from the government for the Sustainable Transport Fund and supports the building of bus stations like Andover, while at the same time cutting bus services. In whose world do they live?

Why not provide safe routes?
What about making cycling and walking safer? Why not provide a safe segregated walking/cycling route? And in this family's case why not let the child travel in the HCC taxi which is already passing their front door as it travels from Whitchurch to Overton? Did I mention they had so far not allowed that?
Instead they seem to expect the 8-year old to walk immediately adjacent to all the speeding lorries and buses.
The family is of course appealing. Let's hope sense is seen.

Is the emphasis wrong?
It should be asked why are Hampshire's casualty figures for the most vulnerable road users amongst the worst in the country? Perhaps it is because their emphasis on handing out leaflets and hi-viz materials is just a box-ticking sticking plaster which some claim verges on victim-blaming, while their refusal to invest adequately in safe routes or enforce speed limits just beggars belief given the benefits to all.

Appeal, but note the day chosen
Meanwhile the mother frets and awaits their final decision. Five months later another site visit is being made to re-assess the route – and they choose a day when the local Secondary schools are closed so the buses, taxis, parent-run trips between Overton and Whitchurch are much reduced.
You couldn't make that up if you tried.

Young people have died here
As these HCC road safety 'experts' and their Councillors walk over Rotten Hill they should stop gather their thoughts at a roadside memorial – which the 8-year old would  pass each day.
The cross and plaque to an 18-year old young lady who lost her life when in a car that left this road, should be a poignant reminder of their responsibilities to provide safe travel for all.

"the most dangerous stretch of road"
At the time of that tragic loss, several comments were made regarding the safety of this stretch of road, including by one local resident: "I lived in the area for 19 years, and it is in my opinion the most dangerous stretch of road I've come across. Something has to be done."

HCC Councillors please take note, that was five years ago.
More incidents have occurred since and nothing has been done.

Please make a sensible decision for the sake of this family, then look seriously at the dangers on this and other roads that affect us all.

(note that these views are entirely my own)

Improving Communications in Whitchurch

Whitchurch Town Council is to have a new Communications team

What is the best way to share news, opinions and ideas?

There is no doubt that the Town Council has gone through an unfortunate rocky patch with the recent resignations, together with the associated press and social media fallout.

There has been a massive change with half the Council having joined in the last seven months - with SIX new volunteer Councillors elected or co-opted.
 
This means new ideas and approaches may come to the fore – and good communication becomes even more important than ever. All public bodies needs to be open and approachable or they cannot serve the people it represents. 
Whitchurch Town Council should be no different.

Effective communication builds trust and confidence and can generate wider interest, increase active involvement, and improve greater understanding within the town about 'how it works'. After all, who fully knows who is responsible what, be in Town, Borough or County?

THE PLANS

I thought I would present a proposal to the Town Council – pleasingly it was accepted.

Over the coming months improvements are to be made in how the Town Council communicates with local residents with a small team being established to oversee this.

This is a chance for local people to be more involved.

Amongst the plans there will be production of a simple and easily read news bulletin to highlight the work of the Town Council and its responsibilities. Personal contact is to be encouraged together with opportunities to tour the Town Hall and ask questions of Councillors.
In addition online presence will be developed with greater use of social media channels, something that has had some discussion on the town's Facebook pages.

It is hoped to promote a culture of openness, accessibility, and two-way communication – and with it an improved understanding of the role of the Town Council in our wonderful town.

It won't happen overnight and will be a slow process but the whole town could work together on this. 

If anyone has any suggestions as to how they would like this to develop, please be in touch. 

One Thousand Houses

1000 houses? Really?

That was a figure mentioned at the Whitchurch Town Assembly.
Of course that's not the total for Whitchurch, but sites adding up to around that number have been identified as having potential for development.
The figure highlights just how important planning decisions are to the town's future.

So which sites would be best, and how many houses?
Currently the Neighbourhood Plan team are identifying the most appropriate sites for the town's needs – which have been agreed as 350 houses over the next 15 years.
Locations for 200 of these are to be selected through the Neighbourhood Plan process, but where should they go?

Risk of large scale developments
Until the sites are decided and accepted by local people by referendum, the town is at risk of large scale planning applications by speculative housing developers. They are already starting to line up at the doors of the planning offices – bulldozers and cement mixers are being prepared.

Where could they be built?
Could houses go at Winchester Road at Webbs Farm with maybe a distributor road reaching across to Micheldever Road?
Could the Bloswood Lane allotment site be extended fully north to the railway with perhaps access via Ardglen or upper Evingar?
Could all the land between the Cemetery and Bloswood Lane behind Park View be built on?
Might Station Road become a major access point, or maybe the old railway tunnel utilised?
Could the land north of Lynch Hill Park become a new area for homes or might the large multi-storey apartment development previously proposed for the Evingar Road Serendipity Sam's site be resurrected?
Maybe a new 'green' town between Whitchurch and the proposed windfarm?
It is a blank sheet - almost.
It is up to us to decide what goes on it.

Lots of options
Perhaps future plans could include a business park north of the railway station or an out-of-town supermarket complex near the A34. Maybe a new sports and leisure centre could be provided with new games facilities?
Ideas that are presently no more than a back of an envelope scribble could become reality or they may be consigned to the bin. Maybe that bypass from the A34 to the B3400 with a bridge over the River Test could again raise its head? Who knows?

Housing mix - we must get this right.
Of major concern is housing mix. More five bed homes? More single person flats? More 'starter' homes for young growing families? Of prime importance is that we cater for the people who live here - the young people who have been brought up here and want to stay and the elderly who don't want to be forced to leave.
'Affordable' housing is essential to the social development of Whitchurch and it needs to be planned in NOW. This is our chance to do so.

QUESTION: The options and ideas are almost endless, but who decides which are realistic and good for the future of Whitchurch?
ANSWER: It is the people of Whitchurch and that means 'getting involved'.

Realistic solutions
It is hoped the Neighbourhood Plan team will be able to present some realistic options towards the end of the summer, based on evidence they have been collating. The team have been working hard and more focus groups on specific subjects as well as further public consultaions are being planned.

So what do local people think? 
A tower block on the meadow or a car park on the Rec anyone?

Get in touch with the Neighbourhood Plan team through the Town Council.
This is setting out the whole future of the town.
It is in our hands.

John Buckley
Views are entirely my own.

Bus Cuts? Drop in sessions

Having recently attended some meetings on bus services, I made a report to Whitchurch Town Council.

Whilst it is unlikely that Whitchurch will 'suffer' cuts to our direct services (76/86) we do need to be vigilant, particularly with regard to the older person bus pass and the provision of timetabling information.
It was also very pleasing that the Town Council supported the idea I put forward to run some Drop-in sessions to help local people respond to Hampshire County Council's consultations on changes.

These will be on May 10th and 15th at the Town Hall.

For details see:
BUS SERVICE CONSULTATION DROP IN SESSIONS
________________________

REPORT ON TRANSPORT MATTERS
________________________

I have attended two Passenger Transport Meetings that were both focussing on the proposed cuts to support given to bus services by Hampshire County Council, although they prefer to call them 'savings'.

INTRODUCTION

HCC is aiming to reduce their support by £1.25 - £1.5 million and are going out to consultation with a number of options.
(Throughout Hampshire) Sunday services could be reduced or removed, evening buses stopped, older persons travel support reduced, and changes to community transport made.

The services affected in Whitchurch could be :

• the reduction/removal of support for the older persons bus pass pre-9.30am.
• other services in adjacent areas.
• changes in how timetables are presented.
• the Basingstoke Dial-a-Ride Community Transport Service.
  
  Note:
  The evening/weekend 76 is supported by Basingstoke and Deane so is not part of this exercise. However, this support may also be at risk (review believed to be next year).

Full details of HCC's exercise is here:
HCC CONSULTATION ON BUS SERVICES


REPORTS FROM THE MEETINGS:

SATURDAY 15th MARCH - HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING

Held at the Castle specially for Parish representatives, this meeting was well-attended by around 60 people.
It started with a detailed presentation on 'Village Agents' - not an underground spy network, but a scheme of local volunteers, trained by HCC in some of the more rural communities. They give help to the more elderly section of the population on a whole range of activities from health to home safety. Some even run fitness classes in an aim to reduce demand on health services.

The link to transport cuts was tenuous and I think HCC made a mistake in using the limited time to promote this, however worthy it might be.

 There followed a presentation named 'New Buses, Record Passengers, Winning Awards'. It covered some major works HCC and bus operators are investing in, including nearly £3million spend on Andover Bus Station as well as other projects mainly in the south of the County.

HCC made much of the investment in improved bus comfort, installation of in-bus wifi and real-time travel information systems as well as the numerous awards HCC have won. This raised questions on whether so much time and finance should be spent on these expensive enhancements when services were being cut.

One delegate said "There will be rebellion in the villages".

My feeling of the meeting was that what is wanted are more and better services, although in many places any service at all would be an improvement.

The workshop parts of the meeting were cancelled due to lack of time - very disappointing.


WEDNESDAY 2nd APRIL - BASINGSTOKE AND DEANE MEETING

Attendance at this was around 40 and it covered similar ground to the HCC meeting, but without the Village Agents. Neither was much made of all the money being spent on 'projects' or awards won. Instead the focus was on the possible changes required to meet the reduced budget.

In my opinion this meeting was much better managed with all the options clearly explained and I learned a lot.

A very worthwhile group workshop session was held when constructive discussion on transport needs took place. Regarding Whitchurch I raised the special needs of rural areas, the requirements of shift workers and young people, how taxi-share services could work, combined train/bus ticketing, and the effects of cuts to the older persons pass, amongst other issues.


WHAT COMES NOW

Consultation now takes place until the end of May. This is for both individuals and organizations, and the Town Council should respond.

Local groups are urged to run local consultation events. The Town Council could, and I believe should, lead on this.


PROPOSAL (Note: the Town Council approved this, details at top)

I propose we actively encourage local responses to the Consultation by:

• 1. organise a public meeting in early May and as well as Whitchurch residents and groups, invite representatives from all local parishes to attend.
• 2. hold two daytime drop in sessions to encourage comment.
  
  (These could also possibly include references to the Neighbourhood Plan travel elements and the Sustainability Transport Forum.

These can be advertised widely and we can help people and organisations and enable the Town Council to respond meaningfully to the proposals.


*** We will need to fight and lobby hard to keep our services. ***

Bus cuts – Rebellion

"There will be rebellion in the villages." ...

... That was one angrily voiced phrase that was wedged in my mind after Hampshire County Council's meeting on transport services.

Around 60 representatives from local Councils throughout Hampshire met in the Castle to hear of current and future plans for public and community transport in the County.

Glowing initiatives and awards
'New Buses, Record Passengers, Winning Awards' - that was the heading given to the first transport presentation, and yes it was full of glowing initiatives, successes in raising investment, and lots of back-slapping for winning national recognition and awards for the work carried out. There are some excellent projects all being presented as wonderful examples of why the County believes it is amongst the best in the country for its public transport provision.

Improvements and success
The schemes heralded included the new multi-million pound Andover Bus Station, the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) links between Fareham and Gosport and on the A3 corridor, together with enhancements to timetable systems like Traveline. Superfast wifi on buses, comfy leather seats, and mobile apps for real-time information all gained enthusiastic praise from the HCC speakers – "Aren't we doing well" was the message they promoted.

BUT!

'But' is a word I normally don't like, 'but' in this case it summed up the feelings of many present. What use is a bus station full of plush coffee shops and electronic screens if there are no buses? What is the point of mobile apps and live bus tracking if there are no services? The gulf between those behind the desks and those who deal with the reality of trying to make a local journey to their nearest hospital or shops was all too apparent.
What is really needed are more and better services, although in many places any service at all would be an improvement.

And the nub - more cuts on the way
And thus to the nub – while all these so-called enhancements are underway with thousands being spent on new bus logos and pretty graphics, the main reason of the meeting was to introduce the County's Consultation - on Service Cuts!
Yes, Cuts! Perhaps there should be a Transport Award for them. HCC could collect another Gong.

Services to disappear
And here's the crunch. HCC, on the back of all its posturing about improvements are aiming to cut £1.25 to £1.5 million from its transport budget for the services it does presently support. Sunday services could be removed, evening buses stopped, older persons travel support reduced, all of which raised the obvious question - could not the funds being used for mobile apps, posh seats and coffee shops be used to run the much needed bus services themselves?


The answer came: No. Why?
Funding is rarely transferable as it is project specific.
Eyes rolled.

I left, believing that something is seriously wrong with 'the system' and that we will need to fight and lobby hard to keep our services.

Luckily in this round of cuts Whitchurch may not be hit too hard because it has already suffered so much previously. However we should not sit back.

At least in the Whitchurch area some of our services are supported by the Borough, not the County, but they too may be at risk.

So much goes on - Leisure and Environment

The seat was taken, coffee sipped, papers straightened and my first Leisure and Environment Meeting started under the experienced chairmanship of Councillor Barry Jackman.

With Councillors around the table, the gavel was banged.

Footpaths were high on the Agenda and cuts being made to maintenance by Hampshire County Council. Priorities had been set taking into account those most used to reach places like the school with the most important six being highlighted.

Rec Alley

Often it is the little things that make the difference and a small handrail in Rec Alley to help the less able up the last little slope was agreed – a small expense but worthwhile.

Meanwhile, trees in both Kingsley Park and the Cemetery took the time of the meeting as issues over their condition has been of concern.

Dog fouling is a regular complaint in Whitchurch and plans for a publicity campaign are to be drawn up using the posters created by local children. It seems I am to work with another Councillor on this.

Allotments are another Town Council responsibility and a proposal to use one for planting some potatoes as part of the WWI Commemorations was made.
It was also reported that they are presently flooded...

Which leads on to …

The town needs a Flood Plan and this created much discussion as it would be part of the Whitchurch Community Emergency Plan.
Of course the terrific work that was carried out by the Royal Navy, local organisations and individuals in the town when the river was rising gained much praise.
Everyone pulled together in a magnificent display of community spirit and I have another responsibility to take forward - but more on that later.

Being part of such a community is a wonderful experience.

Please be in touch if you want anything raised and I'll try to help.

Man's Best Friend?

It was an interesting meeting – with a small group of local residents who were concerned about that perennial problem - dog mess.

It was very positive and some good ideas came out of it.

Its not pleasant at all
Dog mess seems to be one of the most raised problems in the town – found both on pavements and in places such as the Millennium Meadow, or the QEII Park. It's horrible. No one wants to end up with dog faeces on their shoes, clothes or their children when they go for a walk or enjoy the town's open spaces.

Such is the concern that a local resident recently videoed a walk along Test Road and came across at least eight disgusting piles, each awaiting an unsuspecting foot. What is the answer?

One nearby Council has obtained two mobile CCTV cameras which are taken around problem hotspots and it seems to have had reasonable success with a 50 – 60% drop in offences, as well as providing evidence to support prosecutions. This is to be investigated further.

Perhaps this is something a group of local people could organise in the same way that some towns and villages run SpeedWatch schemes to reduce traffic speeds?
There are privacy and data issues but these can be overcome. 

Other ideas include marking the 'piles' with coloured sprays or flags, while the Town Council recently ran a childrens' poster competition and these will be appearing around the town soon.

Unfair on responsible owners
There are a great many responsible dog owners who often get unfairly tarred with the same brush by those who act in such anti-social ways.
Dogs can offer wonderful companionship and a source of much enjoyment for many. That must be maintained and respected. But what about the others?

It is hoped that action can be taken to discourage those who allow their 'Man's Best Friend' from acting in such irresponsible ways – but the big question must be how?

My First Town Council Meeting

Being more accustomed to the public seats this was going to be interesting – my first Town Council Meeting – a special Extra-Ordinary Meeting to deal with the Budget, held in the Town Hall Chamber.

Armed with my papers and a sharp pencil my first question was where to sit – and I think I have a winner – facing the window, half way down the table, and next to the Council's wonderful Clerks.

The Chairman and Mayor banged the gavel, welcomed the three new Councillors, and we began.

I'm not a numbers man; the sheer sight of columns of figures sends me into manic-doodle mode, and anything that adds up to more than three gives me shakes, but the explanations by Councillor Wall were superb and well presented.
Such were his clear skills, I was even enjoying it!

I liked the idea of grants to the community, so said my first ever piece – and suggested that the Council specifically encourage local people/organisations to apply for grants for wider community-focussed projects. Such grants can provide help for people to take responsibility themselves for issues they choose to be important.
I'm sure more will come out on this later.

Then ... A vote ... and my first ever public decision made.
The Budget was approved.

A few pieces of administration followed and the gavel was again banged.

It was a short meeting, quite enjoyable, and so was the excellent pint in the Bell after.

The year begins

Having been elected to the Town Council just before Christmas there were then a number of forms to complete, not too onerous, but the fun was only just beginning and it was not long before the requests came in...

First were dogs and cars – perennial subjects for local ire – "We need less car mess and more dog parking".
Was someone taking the mickey?

And what about the weather over the last few weeks – torrential rain, fences down, tiles off roofs, trees blocking roads; so on entering the White Hart for a quiet and pleasant pint of Noel Ale the greeting was "Now you're a councillor can you sort out this <expletive> weather?"

The job was becoming 'interesting' and I haven't even gone to the first meeting!

So what really concerns local people?

What are the main issues that would make our town a more pleasant place?

Answers on the back of a postcard or send your comments through the feedback here.