Worthy Road speed control measures and other County matters

Hi everyone,  Lynne from Abbotts Barton Community Group here. Earlier in December, I had a meeting with Fiona Mather, the County Councillor, to find out what is going on in the area.  The most crucial thing is that a crossing for the Worthy Road is under consideration and one of the things that will determine whether or where it goes ahead is evidence of local demand. So now is the time to email Fiona.mather@hants.gov.uk if you want a crossing stating why you want one (for example: I cross every day with two children on scooters, an elderly Aunt etc.) and where. Spread the word!  One email with a number of people’s names and email addresses on it is useful as then Fiona can demonstrate there is demand without having to flood the Council Officers’ inboxes or write a letter and get your neighbours to sign it. Or if that sounds too tricky just send an email yourself.  This week would be handy but if not as soon as you can.

There are however going to be some new signs and road markings on the Worthy Road, these are:

• new 'frail/infirm pedestrians' warning signs on approaches to Abbots Barton Nursing Home + new SLOW road markings
• enhanced 30/40 speed limit signs on backing boards where speed limit changes north of Stoke Road + red pad surface alongside with painted 30 roundel
• replace existing 'frail/infirm' and 'side road ahead' warning signs further north throughout route with enhanced signs on backing boards + new SLOW markings
• some redundant signs will be removed as part of the above works.

The road markings are weather dependent but the Council are anticipating that the new signs should be in place early in the new year.

The 20 mph zones are to go ahead following a recent public consultation. The next stage is the statutory consultation which involves putting the orange signs up, but this is largely a formality. The plan is that the zones will be in place in Stanmore, Winnall and Highcliffe by the end of March and the rest of the areas will go ahead in the summer. This includes Hyde but not Abbotts Barton.

Other items we discussed were ‘Give Way’ lines for the junction between Francis Gardens and the new Abbotts Walk development as there appears to be some confusion there with cars pulling straight out of the new estate and railings next to the Worthy Road at the top of the Francis Gardens alleyway, similar to the ones at the top of the alleyway from Knight Close. Finally Winchester City Museum service has been merged with Hampshire County Council museums and the assets leased to an independent trust for 25 years. This means they are able to bid for private funding and it is hoped that they will be less at risk from cuts. Museums are not a statutory requirement so when central government funding to local governments is cut they can be seen as an easy target.