To receive and note questions asked and statements made from members of the public on general matters of interest and/or matters relating to the work of the Forum.
Minutes:
Ms Rodan, resident of Kings Barton, addressed the Forum. In summary, Ms Rodan advised that she preferred to be able to walk into Winchester as opposed to having to drive. However, footways on both sides of Andover Road North were not in an appropriate condition. They were uneven, grass was not cut and there were also nettles and brambles present. From October to March the footways were unlit. She had been in contact with both the County and City Councils with regard to these concerns and wished to understand how they were to be addressed.
Mr Hughes advised that he had recently met with Hampshire County Council officers who had undertaken to carry out some clearance and commence on an ongoing maintenance programme work to the western side of the road. Lighting would be a separate project at a later date and having regard to the new proposed layout of the road. These works were to be costed and a subject to this, improvements may be possible along both sides of the road.
Councillor Porter referred to the matters raised by Ms Rodan and advised that she had also spoken recently to County Council officers with regard to costed options for improvements to at least one side of the road.
Mr Hughes also referred to the Forum’s previous resolution (at its meeting held on 22 March 2018) for Councillor Humby (County Council Executive Member for Environment and Transport) to be written to with regards to this matter and to provide an update. Mr Hughes reported that Councillor Humby had acknowledged the request and had instructed officers to investigate the matter.
Mr Tucker, resident of Kings Barton, addressed the Forum on matters with regard to cycle and pedestrian routes as summarised below:
· The Courtenay Road link was not due until 650 occupations – the same as the re-routing of the Andover Road. This was some time hence (only 100 occupations to date). What were the plans on how pedestrians and also cyclists would access the station and the city centre based on the current road layout?
· Can the route from Kings Barton to Courtenay Road and Worthy Road through the mitigation land be provided with a hard surface and ideally some low level lighting so that it can be used for utility purposes, eg. pushchairs and cyclists? This will be the main route from the development to the City Centre.
· The cycle facilities on Andover Road from the junction with Harestock Road and close to Stoney Lane where the new road would come out are all dependent upon the re-routing of the Andover Road and so if provision is being discussed for pedestrians in the interim what about cyclists, e.g. a widening of the existing footway on Andover Road so that those cyclists who do not feel comfortable on the Andover Road have an alternative for part of the way?
· Will an exit from Kings Barton be provided for cyclists onto Well House Lane to allow safe travel between Headbourne Worthy and the development? There is currently a footpath that links to Headbourne Worthy alongside the railway line.
In response to Mr Tucker, Mr Hughes advised that with regard to the route from Kings Barton to Courtenay Road and Worthy Road through the mitigation land; the County Council had been approached about this being be made with a sealed surface. This had been previously discussed and requested by the Forum. With regard to lighting, as the area was an ecological reserve, this would need to be sensitive and appropriate to its location and would also need to be costed. With regard to a link to Well House Lane, this will be pedestrian friendly. The County Council would also expect appropriate cycling facilities at junctions to Andover Road including appropriate signal controls.
Mr Westwood (Cala Homes) confirmed that the Courtney Road link would be completed at 250 occupations. At the current rate of build, it was expected that this would be at be approximately December 2019.
The Chairman thanked the public in attendance for their participation and were reminded that the Forum was scheduled to meet four times a year and were encouraged to attend and to engage. Residents were also able to get in touch with Mr Hughes, the Barton Farm Implementation Officer, who was employed by Winchester City Council.