From June 2000 also see Highways, Byways, Environment and M3 subcommittee and Transport Matters
County Councillor Mrs A Bailey reported that Hampshire County Council would be implementing traffic calming measures in Hiltingbury/Hocombe Roads. Eastleigh Borough Council had been asked to fund the proposed lorry ban for this same area.
There was a serious flood in Compton Bottom on Christmas Eve, resulting in one accident and a number of breakdowns. Had the new overhead light been working, this might have helped motorists to see the hazard. The Highways and Byways sub-committee was asked to investigate the reasons and ensure HCC undertook any remedial work to prevent a recurrence.
The installation of a street light at the junction of Compton Street and Otterbourne Road proceeds, albeit slowly. To complete this project the contractor is required to reduce the height of the lamp standard by 2 metres and Southern Electricity still have to install the necessary wiring.
HCC Roads and Highways development Committee will be resolving the issues of traffic calming for Hiltingbury/Hocombe Roads and the lorry ban at a meeting to be held on 6th December.
Hampshire County Council have advised that the street lighting to be installed on Otterbourne Road and the junction with Compton Street will be delayed whilst BT and Southern Electricity sort out the proximity of their respective sets of cables.
The council were advised that Hampshire County Council would be installing the additional street light at the junction of Otterbourne Road and Compton Street very shortly.
Cllr Mr R Wilmshurst reported that the Tenants Association did not support the installation of speed humps. He had yet to make contact with other interested parties. The Police had been more active of late and "no parking" bollards had appeared in Martins Field to prevent dangerous parking by users of the play school.. This year funding for lighting at the junction of Compton Street and Otterbourne Road has priority. More evidence of public support would be needed before the Parish Council would consider funding speed humps in a future financial year.
The Parish Council has been pressing for safety improvements in this area for some years. As HCC now have matching funds available immediately the Council decided that we should not miss the chance of installing lighting at this poorly lit junction even though it had not been allowed for in this year. s budget.
A meeting is to be arranged with HCC to discuss traffic calming measures for the parish and parking on the road at Shawford.
Concerns about the speed of traffic on the road from Twyford and the parking situation opposite the Bridge Hotel were raised by several parishioners during the public session. It was agreed to invite a speaker from the County Council to address the May meeting of the Parish Council on possible solutions to the problem, and to ask the County Council to carry out a traffic speed survey.
City Councillor Mrs M Campbell-White reported on traffic calming measures and that the City Engineer had written to the County Surveyor concerning the effect on Compton as only one route to the Waste and Materials Recycling Facility, Poles Lane, Otterbourne, is being considered for calming.
The replaced lighting unit has been connected to the power supply and is working satisfactorily and a floodlight is awaited for fixing to the new unit which will illuminate the garage compound.
Following wishes of residents, a 'No Through Road' sign is be erected on Hurdle Way by HCC in three or four weeks time. Southdown Residents' Association have turned down the idea of a 30 mph limit in their area as they are unwilling to accept the repeater signs that would have to be erected.
New light awaiting connection by Southern Electric
No price has yet been received from the contractor for a floodlight to be attached to the recently erected lamp standard.
Now that the street light is installed and working the contractor should soon be able to set up the floodlight to illuminate the garages.
A letter received from the Highways Agency stated that this was not designed as an equestrian bridge and that a normal 1.0 metre height is sufficient. Members expressed dissatisfaction with the letter, and also expressed their continuing concerns for safety. As the heights of parapets seem inconsistent, it was decided to check the heights of parapets to the bridges immediately north and south of Shepherds Lane and, if warranted, write the Highways Agency further.
Signs erected in Compton village proved to be non controversial, but signs erected in Compton Down were considered unnecessary by some residents and some were unhappy with signs on their grass verges. Following extensive and detailed discussion with HCC and by repositioning two of the signs it proved possible to remove two of the signs. Before pressing the case for speed restrictions in Southdown, the Southdown Residents Association are to be advised that some residents will have repeater signs on their grass verge.
The Parish Council has been following up a request for No Through Road signs to be erected. It seems that the views of residents are mixed on this subject. The Parish Council will try to contact the residents' association to establish the majority view.
The Council has received a letter advising that, because there is a pedestrian pavement, the one metre height of the parapet (railings) does meet applicable safety standards. Nonetheless the Council believes that the parapet is too low, particularly for horses, and will write to the Highways Agency setting out our safety concerns and asking for the height of the parapet to be increased.
A letter from HCC advised that the scheme for a street light near the compound is programmed for January 1997, and that once a contractor is appointed he will contact the Parish Council regarding attachment of a floodlight directed to the garage compound area.
A car travelling towards Winchester, on Sunday 24 November, hit and partially demolished the boundary wall of the property at the comer of Compton Street/ Otterbourne Road, due to the driver being blinded by an oncoming car with lights on full beam with, apparently, with no other contributory causes. The PC advised HCC of the accident and suggested that a temporary reflector sign be installed, also, an appropriate sign be erected due to dangers from debris from the demolished wall.
Following negotiations with HCC, agreement was reached for a reduction in the number of proposed 30 mph speed limit signs without affecting legality. These are in Shepherds Lane, Field Way and Hurdle Way with another sign in Hurdle Way moved 80 metres to the east.
Agreed with HCC that the 'Southdown' sign near Shepherds Lane Bridge will be removed and replaced with a double sided 'Southdown' flag sign opposite Southdown Road.
A resident has requested that the white line marking be extended to the garages at St Patricks, to facilitate access. Cllr Wilmshurst to investigate.
Members were pleased to learn that HCC propose to erect a height barrier at the car park on the western edge of Shawford Down to be secure against travellers and fly tipping.
A letter and plan had been received from HCC with details of positions of new 30 mph speed limit road signs to be erected and of those signs to be removed including the unauthorised 20 mph sign in Hurdle Way, which will be replaced by a 30 mph sign, and the school sign with flashing beacon which will be replaced without a beacon. The effect of the proposals will be an increase of 16 30 mph signs of which 14 repeater signs will be on roads on Compton Down (Shepherds Lane, Field Way, Cliff Way and Hurdle Way) and 2 on Compton Street. The environmental impact of the proposed signing is to be fully considered with regard to unsightliness, position and visual intrusion, also, consideration to the possibility of a less number of signs being compatible with road safety and legislation..
Following discussion with HCC regarding the position of these ramps, which have obstructed sight lines, HCC are to make further investigations and submit fresh proposals to the Parish Council.
Temporary repairs have been carried out in the interest of safety and the Area Surveyor, HCC, has included re-surfacing in his Special Maintenance Budget for the next financial year.
Following discussion with Mr A Gutteridge, Engineers Department WCC, and in recognition of the majority view of affected residents, on the matter of names used for the stretch of road from Bushfield Roundabout to Otterbourne, it was agreed that the stretch of road should be continuously named Otterbourne Road and that WCC be advised accordingly. It was also agreed to request that the Southdown sign be moved to avoid giving the impression that it marked the end of Compton village.
Following the decision of the County Surveyor not to provide lighting to the island refuge at Compton Street junction, a further site meeting has been held with members of the County Surveyor's Department, when they agreed some action could be taken to improve safety on the main road. Signing will be used on the approach from Bushfield Roundabout and additional warning signs will be introduced from the Otterbourne direction. Signing arrangements at other junctions on the main road are to be reviewed as it is considered that additional warning signs will help improve driver awareness and behaviour at the junctions. Also, signing will be shortly arranged to comply with the recently advertised Speed Limit Order in Compton Down, and the possible introduction of a 30 mph limit in Southdown is to be added to the speed limit schemes to be investigated in the future.
Representations have been made to Winchester City Council asking why . Otterbourne Road. nameplates had been erected when WCC had previously agreed our recommendation of . Main Road. for the road from Bushfield roundabout to the Otterbourne boundary. After some discussion the Parish Council referred this matter to the Highways and Byways sub-committee who are also to examine road naming throughout the whole parish.
Cllr Whitaker reported that he was to meet County Council representatives on 12 July about the crossing at the end of Compton Street and other dangerous junctions in the parish.
The Parish Council will ask the City Council why our proposals for road name signs have been ignored, especially in view of a letter received from the City accepting our suggestions.
The Area Surveyor, HCC, is to be asked to remark the worn white lining across Compton Street at the junction with Attwoods Drove.
Following the unsatisfactory response of HCC to various matters put by the Parish Council, including unlighted island refuge at the end of Compton Street, visibility at road junctions and traffic calming, the matters are to be further considered by the Highways, Byways and Environment Subcommittee.
A meeting with a representative of the lighting section, County Surveyor's Department, revealed that they will not provide a light at the garage compound or install a light on the road nearby. The Highways, Byways and Environment Subcommittee is to consider the issue of street and other lighting and consult with HCC.
following reconsideration of the speed limits notices submitted to the Parish Council it was decided to check whether the County Council had the authority to impose speed limits on private roads within the parish.
A letter, written by the chairman to the County Surveyor was circulated, again raising the Parish Council's concerns at the potential dangers of crossing the road at the unlighted island at the end of Compton Street. The letter referred to a recent serious accident at the end of Compton Street, to HCC plans to look at traffic calming measures, and mentioned that many recent accidents had occurred in the village: and concluded asking that a safety review be carried out urgently to cover all the points specified in the Chairman's letter together with any other aspects of road safety that may be found.
It was decided to write to Winchester City Council concerning the siting of this recently erected sign asking that it be placed in an appropriate position next to the Shawford/Twyford direction sigh at the junction with Shawford Hill so that it is also visible to traffic approaching from Shawford and Twyford.
Following examination of a proposed HCC Speed Limit Order for effectively all of the roads in the Compton Street and Compton Down areas of the Parish, it was agreed to write asking that speed limits also be imposed in the Southdown area: Southdown Road, Grove Road, Fairfield Road, Cross Way and Pearson Road, Shawford.
Cllr. Wilmshurst reported on the road accident in which a young girl crossing the road at Compton Street had had her leg badly broken. The Parish Council will write to the County Council to repeat our request for the traffic island to be lit in the interests of road safety.
Cllr Wilmshurst reported on a letter from the County Surveyor concerning the policy relating to illuminating traffic refuges on roads, with an explanation why the island at the end of Compton Street is not illuminated for pedestrians. The signs on the bollards are of a highly reflective nature to ensure they are conspicuous to night-time traffic and are not intended, or suitable, to enable pedestrians to see their way in the dark. Cllr Wilmshurst expressed dissatisfaction with letter, reiterated his view that the island is a danger spot and put the matter to County Cllr Mrs Bailey, who re-affirmed the HCCs strict policy on lighting and advised that a system of priorities is operated.
The Chairman reported that he attended the Open Day on 19th September, and with Cllr Mrs J P Appleton, attended the Seminar on 20th September. Some of the brief conclusions were: that the huge County Surveyor's Department seem to be successful in competing for central Government funds with very imaginative schemes; many Parish Councils are competing for their attention, a group is actively looking at ways to reduce dependence on the car and will run 'Headstart' discussion workshops for schools and parishes and anyone else interested in thinking about traffic problems; in the absence of injuries from road accidents it is difficult, if not impossible, to get funds for traffic calming; Government funds for traffic calming are available but only for sites where there is a record of personal injury accidents that have been reported to the police. The County Council has a 'Parish Projects' scheme for improving the look of selected county villages and small towns.
Cllrs A D Walmsley and Mrs J P Appleton are to attend a seminar convened by the Hampshire Association of Parish Councils and Hampshire County Council Surveyor's Department, on 20th September, concerning signing and Traffic Management, which will provide an opportunity to discuss issues about road and other signs in the countryside and towns.
It was reported that a letter had been sent to Hampshire County Council seeking information regarding the possibility of providing lights at the garage compound, Martins Fields, Compton, which matter proved abortive in year 1994/95.
Following concerns regarding the dangerous angle of the new road joining with Hurdle Way, City Cllr Beckett agreed to contact the City Highways Department regarding the provision of appropriate road signing.
Concerning the problem of parking on Compton Street, a meeting of representatives of School Governors, School Staff, Parish Council, HCC Education Department and Highways Department had been held, when the idea of a parking and off loading area within the school grounds was fully debated. Highways had no objection but the Education Department was not at all co-operative as the recreation area would be reduced below that required by statute. The suggested use of Church Field as a play area was agreeable to school staff, but the Education Department put up an argument regarding costs of levelling and drainage and were unhappy with a teacher having to supervise children across the road. Also, that the Education Department policy, approved by HCC, was that no money should be spent on parents' parking problems. The Highways Department promised to investigate the possibility of providing a mini roundabout at Welshers Lane to ease parking problems.
The continuing problem of parking by parents of school children on Compton Street has received further consideration and a meeting is to be held with concerned residents. Also, a survey is to be carried out to determine the number of parking places required at peak times. The school is also making enquiries regarding the possible extension of the school car park and how best to provide a safe entrance and exit.
Following a request by the Parish Council, a kerbed hardstanding has teen provided, by the M3 contractors, in front of the post box and noticeboard in Southdown Road
It was agreed that the Sub-committee appointed to consider the problem of parking on Compton Street, convene a meeting with all interested parties as soon as possible.
Following complaints of traffic speeds past Compton Street, it was reported that County Cllr Mrs A Bailey was already pursuing the issue with County council traffic planners. Measures are being sought to reduce speed along Otterbourne Road through Compton, and particularly down hill from the Shawford Bridge.
In response to representations from a parishioner, it was decided to further investigate the possibility of providing a bus shelter in or near the layby by the new car park, Otterbourne Road.
last updated 24 September 2000 by Adrian Walmsley