I hope you find the news here useful. Please note that, though I reference this blog on social media, I resist entering into debate on those platforms. They are not private, it is too easy to miss something, and there are trolls around ready to impose themselves on other peoples’ conversations. If you have a comment, I would be delighted to hear from you on sreid17786@aol.com
Promoted by Stephen Reid, 34 Centurion Way, Hatch Warren, Basingstoke RG22 4TJ
BOROUGH COUNCIL MAKES SERIOUS PLANNING ERROR
7th November 2024
I am disappointed to report that the Borough Council’s Development Control committee has approved the planning application for warehouses near to Junction 7 of the M3. I regard this as a poor decision that will increase HGV traffic on the A30, impact on homes in Hounsome Fields, the Golf Course development and Dummer, and compromise the plans for a new hospital on the other side of the A30. My suggestion had been for the site to be used for a science park that would complement the hospital and provide a better gateway to Basingstoke.
I attended the DC meeting to speak against the proposal. I hope that my submission summarises why it was a poor decision …
“Members: similar applications have come to you in the past and you have turned them down. You were proven right; when the matters went to appeal, the planning inspector agreed with your decision.
“You did what was right for Basingstoke, and you won the argument.
“It seems to me that the applicants are simply trying to ask the same question over and over again until you give them the answer they want. It’s like a child in the supermarket who has been told, no, you’re not getting any sweets. The child then asks the same question over and over again, hoping that by so doing, somehow the answer will change.
“This application is no different in essence from that which you turned down before.
- It is still on a site that is outside the settlement policy boundary.
- It still proposes massive buildings out of keeping with the nearby conservation area.
- Those buildings still impact on the conservation area and are visible from it.
- It will still cause night-time light pollution.
- It still offers an unsightly gateway to Basingstoke.
- It is still the wrong development to be sited opposite Basingstoke’s preferred site for a new hospital. A science park would be better.
- It still offers jobs of a type where a simple on-line search shows pages and pages of unfilled vacancies in the Basingstoke area.
- It is still being recommended for approval by your Officers, when the planning inspector ruled that their previous recommendations were wrong, and your decisions were right.
“On behalf of the residents of South West Basingstoke, I ask you to show the courage that you showed before, do what is right for Basingstoke and turn down this application.”
Sadly, it was not to be. The Committee voted by 6 to 4 to approve the application.
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TRAFFIC LIGHT IMPROVEMENTS FOR BRIGHTON HILL ROUNDABOUT
21st October 2024
Hampshire County Council is planning to introduce a more dynamic form of control to the Brighton Hill Roundabout traffic signals. This will allow the green times to vary in response to changes in flows as they occur, and therefore allow longer green times to be offered when approaches are busier.
The changes are expected to be introduced by the end of the year. It may take some days for them to settle, and the junction operation will be closely monitored during that period.
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TEMPORARY TRAFFIC LIGHTS ON A30
20th September 2024
Work is due to start tomorrow (21st September) to clean the drains along the A30 between Beechdown and the Brighton Hill roundabout. Closed Circuit TV will also be deployed to check the condition of the soakaways.
This is a previously unannounced decision due to resources becoming available at short notice. The work is expected to last all week, between 9.30 am and 4pm each day. Temporary traffic lights will be in place.
Whilst I don’t welcome this latest disruption to traffic, I am pleased that the drains are being inspected and cleaned along this stretch of road, which frequently has standing water on it following heavy rain.
For more information as the work progresses, you can visit One.Network – https://one.network/?GB140257944
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HOUNSOME FIELDS SCHOOL PROGRESSES
9th July 2024
The potential operator of the proposed new Primary School at Hounsome Fields is the Engage Enrich Excel Academies (EEEA) Trust. It is now inviting views which will inform the decision about whether to enter into a funding agreement with the Secretary of State for Education to establish the school.
The new school is proposed to open as a one form entry school (expanding to two form entry) along with a resource provision for pupils who will have Education Health Care Plans (EHCP) whose primary area of need is likely to fall within the category of Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH).
EEEA is offering opportunities to engage with the Trust through:
- Completing an on-line Survey, Link to Survey
- A Consultation event on Monday 23 September 2024, 17.30 – 19.30 pm, at Beggarwood Community Centre, Broadmere Road, Beggarwood, Basingstoke Hants RG22 4AG
- By Email to info@hounsomefields.school, or
- By post to: The CEO, Engage Enrich Excel Academies, 181 Frimley Road, South Camberley Primary & Nursery School Junior Site, Camberley, Surrey, GU15 2QB.
Everyone is invited to engage and give their views.
To find out more about the school, please visit www.hounsomefields.school. Paper copies are available by contacting the EEEA office on 01276 423040.
The Trust has contacted many individuals, institutions and community groups in the vicinity of the school in an effort to ensure that that this consultation is as comprehensive as possible. The consultation will run from 8th July to 30th September 2024 and a report will be produced shortly after.
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MYSTERY WOMAN IDENTIFIED
27th May 2024
I contacted the Police, in the form of our Designated Named Officer, following reports of a mystery woman walking in the Beggarwood area. They have now posted an update:
“The Basingstoke Neighbourhoods Policing Team have been able to identify the person reported on a number of occasions in the Beggarwood area with a knife. The person has now been identified, and I would like to reassure the residents of Basingstoke that they are currently not able to present any risk to the public.”
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WATER LEAK IN WOODBURY ROAD
27th May 2024
I am monitoring what is a pretty bad water leak in Woodbury Road, at its junction with Centurion Way. I reported it to the water company when I first became aware, but it seems to be getting worse. There is a large crack in the road now and a lot of water is flowing down the drains.
It looks as if South East Water have been out to inspect the problem, because someone has painted blue arrows pointing to the leak – not that it can be missed! I have not heard from them regarding a target date for fixing the problem.
I found the water company’s customer service portal very frustrating. It took a full minute and a half pressing buttons on my phone to get through their automated front end and actually speak to someone to report the problem. And when I tried to phone them today, I found that their customer service number was closed, because it is a bank holiday.
Problems like this are very visible. People hate to see fresh water running down the drains for want of a repair and need to know that it is being addressed as a priority.
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SURFACE DRESSING ON THE A30 – UPDATE
13th May 2024
I have been investigating why the surface dressing of the A30 between the Brighton Hill roundabout and Kempshott roundabout, did not happen on 7th May as advertised, and what the new plans are.
Apparently, although the contractors turned up, some of the traffic safety equipment didn’t (I don’t know why, yet). So, the work had to postponed. I shall continue to investigate.
I have to say that I feel the communications have been poor, and I am making that point to officers at Hampshire.
However, the more positive news is that the work has been rescheduled for 5th June to 7th June.
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LIBRARIES CAN LEND OUT BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORS
8th May 2024
I am pleased to report that Hampshire County Council’s libraries are making devices available for measuring blood pressure. They will be free to borrow, and every library will have three devices to lend out, for up to fourteen days at a time.
If left untreated, high blood pressure (hypertension) can lead to serious risks, including strokes, heart attacks, coronary heart disease and heart failure. Worryingly, many people in the UK who are affected, are unaware. That is why it is worth checking.
Each monitor can be borrowed on a ‘first come-first served’ basis. It comes in a box, with a leaflet containing easy-to-follow instructions on how to use the device and understand the results, as well as what to do if the readings look concerning.
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‘SURFACE DRESSING’ ON A30
5th May 2024
The A30 is to receive a surface dressing between the Brighton Hill roundabout and the Kempshott roundabout this week. ‘Surface dressing’ is where a layer of bitumen is spread onto the road and then stone chippings are spread evenly to bind into it.
A diversion route is being signposted whilst the work is carried out, and past experience says that when everything re-opens there will be a need to drive carefully until any loose chippings have been swept away.
This is a busy route, and there may be knock-on effects for some of our side roads. The picture shows the route of the A30that will affected in red, and the signposted diversion in blue.
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STOP PRESS: LOT 196 WITHDRAWN (THE CORNFIELDS OPEN SPACE)
23rd April 2024
As detailed below, I wrote yesterday to the auctioneers of a plot of land under threat of sale in The Cornfields, and asked that prospective purchasers be made aware of the resistance that residents and I would mount to the proposal.
This afternoon, I received an email from Allsop auctioneers saying: ‘The lot has now been withdrawn from the auction.’ That was all it said.
That is good news, but I don’t regard it as the end of the story. There are two questions I now want to see resolved:
- Is this a permanent withdrawal from sale of this piece of open space, or just a temporary hold whilst Taylor Wimpey consider what to do next? I phoned the Allsop agent but he was not able to answer this.
- Can we close down this issue for good by getting the land transferred to the Borough Council as it should have been decades ago? I see this as an asset for the people who live in The Cornfields, and it should be in public ownership.
I set the wheels in motion for the second question this morning, before I knew the good news about the lot being withdrawn. I wrote to the Chief Executive at the Borough Council and made the following points:
- This valued piece of open space looks to be in the ownership of Taylor Wimpey by accident, having not been transferred to the Council when the estate was completed.
- Residents tell me that, despite not owning the land, the Borough Council has been maintaining it.
- My understanding as a non-lawyer is that after some years, the maintainer of land like this may claim ownership. If that is the case, I would like the Borough Council to assert its position, engage with Taylor Wimpey, and reach an agreement.
I am hoping to make the case that the Borough Council can claim ‘factual possession’ of the land and that Taylor Wimpey and the Council can then tie up the legal paperwork to transfer it, thereby rectifying an error that was made many, many years ago.
Some people have suggested that the residents should investigate purchasing the site. I can think of issues that might arise. Would the residents take on liabilities? Who would maintain the land? What if there was an infrastructure problem underneath it?
The Council has had no time to respond to my enquiry yet, but to my mind the end-goal must be to achieve an agreement that it will own the land, on behalf of the community, as was originally intended.
For now, though, the good news is that following the representations made to the auctioneers, this lot has been withdrawn. If nothing else, that buys us some time.
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DEFENDING LAND AT THE CORNFIELDS
23rd April 2024
I am gradually unpicking the mystery of a plot of open space in The Cornfields, and how it comes to be on sale via an auction on 9th May.
I spoke to the auctioneers who indicated that this green area, which contains ten trees, somehow slipped through the net when the estate was completed and was not passed to the Borough Council by the builders (McAlpine, now Taylor Wimpey). Nevertheless the Council has been maintaining it.
Local residents have told me that a drainage problem caused the relevant parties to investigate who is responsible, leading to the discovery that the land is owned by Taylor Wimpey. The developer now appears to be testing the market to see if it can make any money by selling the land.
I have written to the auctioneers to make the point that if anyone buys it, they will be unlikely to make easy money from it as the residents and I will defend its status as open space. So don’t bid for it! Here is what I wrote:
“Thank you for your time when we spoke earlier today.
I write to bring to your attention a material consideration that may impact prospective purchasers of Lot 196 on 9th May. This lot is a plot of land in The Cornfields, Hatch Warren, Basingstoke RG22 4QB.
It looks as if this land somehow slipped through the net when development ended, and was not passed to the Borough Council. This will come as a shock to residents, who value it as a piece of open space in a residential area.
Potential purchasers should be aware that local people and I (as Hampshire County Councillor for Basingstoke South West), will vigorously defend this piece of land to prevent it being developed. I believe that Policy EM5 – Green Infrastructure, in the current Local Plan applies.
The Policy says “The Council will seek to protect and enhance the quality and extent of public open space and public rights of way. Proposals for the redevelopment of public and private open spaces will not be permitted unless it can be clearly demonstrated that:
– replacement areas will be at least equivalent …
– a robust assessment clearly demonstrates that the space is surplus to local requirements …
– the proposal is for alterative recreational provision …”
In my opinion, any attempt to develop this piece of land would fail all three tests in Policy EM5, most especially the ‘surplus to requirements’ one, and any purchaser would run the risk of acquiring an asset that might incur responsibilities but not be able to deliver income.
You indicated that you would inform potential purchasers.”
I hope that the auction will result in no sale and then a belated transfer to the Council could take place, preferably for a nominal sum like one penny.
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APPEAL THROWS OUT WOODBURY ROAD PHONE MAST
21st April 2024
I am pleased to confirm that the appeal to put a phone mast on the pavement in Woodbury Road has been turned down by an inspector.
I objected to the application on the grounds that the scale and the height of the mast, and its positioning in close proximity to residential dwellings, were undesirable and would detract from the look of the area. The picture shows how it would have towered above neighbouring homes.
I also objected because the mast was proposed to be sited on an important footpath, where it would cause an obstruction.
The main issue for the inspector, was the first of these points – the impact of the proposed mast on the character and appearance of the area. Although the proposed pole was at the minimum height to operate effectively, he observed that it would still be significantly taller than the closest houses and the existing street furniture such as lamp posts. The mast and its associated cabinets would be visually prominent from the pathway, Woodbury Road, and the nearby pedestrian crossing. Furthermore, the development as a whole would clutter the pathway. It would be an incongruous addition to the street scene and detract from the quality of the area.
The inspector accepted the overall need for the development. However, the applicants had not given him enough information to prove that they had looked at alternative locations. He was not convinced that the use of existing buildings and structures had been sufficiently explored, or that a new street pole was the only and most appropriate solution available. Very limited and unconvincing justification for discounting a small number of alternative sites for new masts had been provided.
I am pleased that this application is not going ahead – at least for now. This may not be the end of the matter. Phone masts are ‘permitted developments’ and the only issues are siting and appearance. The applicants may seek to put in yet another application and offer more evidence that they have considered, and rejected, alternative locations.
Some people say that the local Councillors should join with the applicants in finding an acceptable site, but I think that is wrong. We would run the risk of making ourselves party to something that local residents might still find unattractive, and compromise our ability to comment on a new application on their behalf.
We represent our local residents, not the phone companies.
I will, of course, answer any questions that the applicants may put to me and offer advice where I can.
So, for now, I note that the visual impact was the crunch point for this application, being so close to existing homes. I hope that he company won’t submit a similar application, and will show more sympathy and respect for Hatch Warren and Beggarwood if it does come up with a new proposal.
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DIGESTATE SPREADING THIS WEEK
13th March 2024
Biogen, the people who run the Anaerobic Digester, have written to say that they are spreading digestate this week on the Farleigh Wallop Estate. Digestate is their left-over product: nutrient rich, but smelly.
I have received complaints about this in the past, and made representations. This time, they look as if they are taking steps to reduce the impact on local residents.
They will be monitoring weather conditions closely. When the wind is blowing a westerly/south-westerly it is less likely to cause an odour nuisance. They will also be using low-level trailing hose applicators that place the digestate at the base of the crop, and this also helps to reduce odour emissions.
The spreading is likely to last to the end of the week. Hopefully, the Beggarwood and Hatch Warren residential estates will be unaffected, but if you do smell something, that is what it is likely to be – digestate spreading. Please let me know if there is a problem where you are.
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OVERNIGHT ROAD MARKINGS WORK ON BRIGHTON HILL ROUNDABOUT
27th February 2024
There will some planned night-time working on the Brighton Hill Roundabout to amend the road markings, starting on Wednesday (28th February) from 8pm to 5am.
The A30 Winchester Road (East), The Harrow Way and Brighton Way approach road will be single lane in advance of the roundabout. The roundabout circulatory will also be a single lane adjacent to the junctions with A30 Winchester Road (East) and Brighton Way. Traffic management will be in place.
The lane closures will enable the contractor to amend the road markings safely.
I am hoping that the new markings will give extra guidance to drivers on which lanes are best used for their desired exits.
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KEMPSHOTT LANE RESURFACING
23rd February 2024
Here is the latest information regarding the resurfacing of Kempshott Lane, as supplied to me by Hampshire County Council officers:
Hampshire’s Planned Maintenance Team has confirmed that the resurfacing of Kempshott Lane is in the 2024/25 provisional programme. This is good news and something for which I have been lobbying.
The timetable is to undertake the works in ‘Quarter 1’. I queried whether that means Q1 of the financial year, starting April, or Q1 of the calendar year, starting next January. I have been told that it refers to the financial year, so the team is aiming at doing the work in April / May / June of this year, not the beginning of 2025. That is good news too.
Some words of caution:, the team is still building next year’s programme, and at this stage cannot guarantee any dates of when the works are likely to be carried out. This is because road space availability still needs to be explored and confirmed. What this means is that the County tries to ensure that planned road closures and associated diversions do not work against each other. Also, the wet weather could impact if it continues.
The team is currently finalising the design but anticipates the resurfacing will cover the length of Kempshott Lane between Kestrel Road and Aster Road.
I am pleased that progress is being made, and I will report the firmed-up dates as soon as I know them.
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YELLOW WEATHER WARNING FOR RAIN
16th February 2024
With more rain heading our way, the County Council will have additional highways crews on standby to help clear excess surface water and any tree or hedge debris from Hampshire’s roads over the weekend.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain from 3pm Saturday (17th February) until 6pm Sunday, with a course of persistent rain from after dark continuing into Sunday. This will be falling on already saturated ground.
The met office warning can be found here: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?date=2024-02-18
If you see a highways issue which needs urgent attention you can phone Hampshire on 0300 555 1388 (8:30am to 5pm, Mon to Fri), but outside office hours, and in an emergency, the best thing to do is to phone 101.
Non emergency enquiries can be reported online at https://hants.gov.uk/transport/roadmaintenance
I am sure I speak for many when I express the hope that this long-term, depressing wet weather will ease soon. I want to get out into the garden and onto the allotment!
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CONES ON BRIGHTON HILL ROUNDABOUT
16th February 2024
I am sure I am not the only person feeling frustrated at Brighton Hill Roundabout having lanes coned off, so soon after it re-opened.
I tracked the work down to South East Water and contacted them to find out what was happening. They told me that they are replacing a leaking fire hydrant in the Winchester Road, that had been impacting on a local business.
I don’t understand why so many cones were needed – probably traffic management requirements. The good news is that the work is scheduled to finish at 5pm today (Friday).
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MCDONALDS APPLIES TO OPEN AT HATCH WARREN
12th February 2024
An application, 24/00275/FUL, has been submitted to the Borough Council, seeking permission to convert the old Poundstretcher store on the Hatch Warren Retail Park, into a McDonalds. This is the empty store next to the pet shop. The application asks for minor changes to the entrance to the shop and the repositioning of doors at the back. There is no suggestion of changing the unit into a ‘drive-thru’, so it looks as if the intention is to operate it as a restaurant.
This image (taken from the submitted plans) is an indication of what is proposed.
I will be seeking answers to some key questions:
- What will be the proposed opening hours and what will happen about the locking of the gates to the retail park at night? You may recall that I approached the management company to get the gates locked at 10.30pm to prevent the car park being mis-used for car meets. If McDonalds stay open later than 10pm, this arrangement may have to change.
- Is the store is intended to operate round the clock? If so, it could become intrusive for the residents who live nearby in Monarch Close.
- Will there be increased policing of the site, in case the store attracts antisocial behaviour?
- Who will be responsible for controlling any litter that may be generated by the operation, if granted?
I believe that the Development Control committee will need to consider some conditions on the operation if the application is recommended for approval.
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18,000 HOMES PLANNED FOR THE WEST OF BASINGSTOKE
16th January 2024
The Borough Council is proposing to build the equivalent of a medium-sized town with over 18,000 homes, to the West of Basingstoke. It will stretch from the Kingsclere Road in the North, all the way past Buckskin, Kempshott, the Golf Course and Hounsome Fields to the A30, M3 Junction 7 and Popham Airfield in the South.
I spoke at the Basingstoke and Deane Cabinet meeting, urging the Councillors to revisit the housing numbers in their draft local plan, slowing down the rate of growth. They declined to do this.
The meeting can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHk7h2AZ7bA&t=1193s and my two-minutes’ worth starts about 17 minutes in.
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MORE A30 OVERNIGHT ROAD CLOSURES COMING
8th January 2024
In December 2023 some road works to improve the junction into the Golf Course, just past the Holly Blue, were postponed due to bad weather.
The works have now been rescheduled and they will take place between 15th and 20th January 2024, overnight. That does not mean that the road will be closed each of these nights: the project team has reserved a window larger than it needs, to allow some flexibility if the weather is forecast to be bad again.
It does mean, however, that the A30 will closed for some of those nights. If you use the A30 past Beggarwood at night, it will be worth checking and planning. The big complaint I receive is that motorists coming off the M3 don’t get advanced warning.
I sincerely hope that this will be the end of it.
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TRAFFIC LIGHTS SWITCHED ON AT BRIGHTON HILL ROUNDABOUT
12th December 2023
At last! When I drove through the roundabout today, I found the traffic lights up and working and most of the cones removed. Traffic appeared to be flowing freely and the lane markings were clear.
There is clearly work still outstanding, mainly landscaping and planting, I think. I would say that the project is functionally complete, but not wholly finished. This progress will come as a relief to tens of thousands of motorists.
Being realistic, I would expect there to be snags and minor issues to correct and I wouldn’t be surprised if the phasing of the traffic lights needs to be adjusted as traffic patterns adjust to the ‘new normal’.
A special word of thanks to the residents who live nearby … they have put up with a lot of noise and disruption and must be delighted that it is now coming to an end.
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NEW PLANNING APPLICATION FOR GOLF COURSE SITE
11th December 2023
Bloor Homes have written to me with details of their new planning application for Phase 3 of the development at the old Golf Course site.
The proposals are to build 494 new homes ranging from 1 to 4 bedrooms, with up to 36% affordable housing, plus 19 ‘custom built’ properties in line with local housing requirements. This phase will also include a Neighbourhood Park, play areas, two football pitches with changing facilities and 45 allotments. The allotments are at the M3 end of the site.
At present the proposed Local Centre is not included and will be subject to a separate reserved matters planning application.
Bloor Homes state that the application is in line with the Local Plan and the outline planning permission for the site. Full details, plus the ability to comment, are available on the Borough Council website. The application reference is 23/02973/RES.
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IMPORTANT NEWS ABOUT LOCAL SURGERIES
10th December 2023
The activities of Operose in the UK are being taken over by the HCRG Care Group. This is relevant to Basingstoke as Operose’s current responsibilities include the Camrose, Gillies, Hackwood and Beggarwood (CGHB) group of surgeries, based in South Ham, Brighton Hill, the Town Centre, and Hatch Warren and Beggarwood.
HCRG Care Group is UK based and owned and is of one the UK’s largest community health and care service providers.
This announcement comes after a period of speculation that started when Operose announced its intention to withdraw from the UK. The CGHB Practice Manager has acknowledged that this caused uncertainty, and hopes that the news will provide some welcome clarity for patients and surgery staff.
The Patient Participation Group has been told that this announcement will not change the way the practices are managed. Patients will still be seen by the same doctors, nurses and administration teams as they are now and should continue to contact and use the surgeries as normal. Whilst that is undoubtedly true, I think it is too superficial a statement and there will be questions. Two that occur to me are: will the Dr IQ application continue? And will Operose’s repeat prescription processes be retained? I will try to get answers to these (and no doubt more) at the next PPG meeting.
The local NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB) is aware of the proposals and will initiate its own assurance processes around HCRG.
The partners of CGHB (i.e. some of the doctors who provide the healthcare), have responsibility for the care the surgery provides under the terms of their contract with the ICB. This has not changed. The sale means that HCRG will take over responsibilities for central support services from Operose. These services aid the delivery of primary care for the patients.
If you feel you would like to feedback to the Integrated Care Board about this issue, please email hiowicb-hsi.patientexperience@nhs.net
If you have any questions you would like me to ask, please email sreid17786@sreid17786
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OURHANTS – A NEW APP THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST
23rd November 2023
Hampshire County Council has launched a new mobile app called ‘OurHants’, which is available for Apple and Android mobile devices.
As a starting point it offers the full range of County Council web pages, to allow you to access all services. It has new functionality in one of HCC’s most widely used online services – the booking of appointments for Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRCs).
When booking an HWRC appointment, the OurHants app will let you save details if you wish, such as the registration of your vehicle, and any permits you have, to make future bookings quicker. It also allows you to see and manage your bookings in one place and will notify you of any important updates about your booking.
You can download the app, without charge, from the Apple or Google Play app stores.
OurHants – Get it on Google Pl
OurHants – Download on the Apple App Store
I would be interested in any feedback you have, which I can pass onto the County officers.
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USE EXTRA FUNDING IN KEMPSHOTT LANE, PLEASE!
21st November 2023
The Government has announced that Hampshire is to receive an extra £132 million for roads maintenance. I have written to the Director asking for part of that extra money to be spent on resurfacing Kempshott Lane.
I have been lobbying for this work for some time. The last news I had was that the case had been accepted for resurfacing the crucial middle stretch, and it will be a candidate (but not guaranteed) for the 2024/25 budget.
I have therefore asked whether the extra money could be used to accelerate the work. Kempshott Lane is a very risky route for cyclists and a bumpy ride for motorists.
The Director says that the Council still does not know the exact details of the extra money. But I have put in my plea early, in the hope of having this road in the Officers’ minds when the decision-making starts.
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KEMPSHOTT – BUCKINGHAM PARADE PATHS TO BE TREATED
20th November 2023
As part of the annual Planned Maintenance programme, Hampshire County Council is undertaking ‘Footway Micro Asphalt’ maintenance treatments to extend the life of the footpaths.
The treatment is applied to the existing surface, sealing it from water ingress, which is a major cause of deterioration. The process is fast, efficient, and very effective in ensuring that footway surfaces are kept safe and serviceable for the longest possible period, whilst using as few non-sustainable material sources as possible.
As part of the programme, work is programmed to start at Buckingham Parade, in Kempshott, on Thursday 30th November 2023.
The site has been split into sections, which will each take 2 working days to complete. The team expects to be working between the hours of 08:00 – 18:00 each day. The treatments are weather sensitive and part of a larger programme of works, so the dates could change. The teams will keep a close eye on the weather forecasts. When they can, any significant changes to the scheduled dates will be made clear on the yellow information signs located at the edges of the works.
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BRIGHTON HILL ROUNDABOUT – THE END IS IN SIGHT
6th November 2023
One of the questions we all want answered is ‘when will the Brighton Hill roundabout be finished?’
I have spoken to the Project Manager to ask this question. With final surfaces being laid, it looks as if the end should be in sight …
The Project Manager is confident that the Brighton Hill project will be functionally completed by Christmas and possibly earlier if the weather co-operates (which it isn’t at the moment). This means the project is on schedule, which is good news.
The functional completion will deliver the capacity improvements that were modelled before the scheme was started. Afterwards there will be a period of ‘snagging’ if operational issues come to light. There will also be some landscaping and tree planting to take place.
This is the last major capacity improvement scheme currently planned for the A30, though I suspect more will be discussed as the transport plan for the south-west of Basingstoke is finalised, and when developments take place on Southern Manydown and beyond Hounsome Fields.
But I am sure that I speak for thousands when I hope for a period of stability in 2024, with no more road works – and no more cones!
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A30 CLOSURES – AN UPDATE
17th October 2023
I have more information about the planned closures of the A30. The works programmed for the road are to address issues that were raised by the independent road safety auditors who reviewed the works at the Golf Course junction after it was completed.
Over the last few weeks, works have been undertaken off the highways to rectify some of the issues that were found. However, one remedial item that needs addressing is the lack of road studs delineating the carriageway lanes. To install these, a closure is required.
The works are now being programmed across three evening closures on 1st, 2nd and 3rd November. The road will re-open each morning by 6am, prior to rush hour. It may be that the works can be completed quicker, but there is contingency built in for unforeseen issues or adverse weather.
Hampshire’s officers are working with the developer and their traffic management contractor to ensure access is maintained for residents, learning from the experiences of the previous closures.
Whilst still very disappointed at the prospect of another closure, I think this explanation is helpful and a step in the right direction.
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MY DISMAY AT ANOTHER A30 ROAD CLOSURE
15th October 2023
To say I am dismayed is an understatement. It looks as if we are going to have another – and in my opinion, totally avoidable – closure of the A30 for four nights, past the Golf Course development.
I have been notified that remedial works are required on the recently installed signalised junction into the Bloor Homes development on the Golf Course, to ensure it is safe and compliant with highways standards. My translation is that the Bloor Homes contractors will be correcting work that should have been completed properly first time round.
To facilitate the works, the A30 will close again at night from 1st – 4th November. The contractor is working with Hampshire’s inspection team to ensure the works minimise disruption as much as possible. Management plans are being worked on to ensure access and safe passage for those in the area. This will maintain access to Saunders Way and Beggarwood Lane.
Just to remind everyone, these were the closures that were so badly organised and signposted last time that residents in Saunders Way thought they couldn’t get home at night and ended up parking in the Holly Blue. I visited the site three nights running, asking and then checking that they improve their communications and signage.
The Officers tell me that they are hopeful that the contractor has learnt from the mistakes last time. Time will tell.
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SCHOOL CROSSING PATROL VISIT
12th October 2023
To raise awareness of the importance of the School Crossing Patrols in Woodbury Road, I met on site with Dame Maria Miller MP and the Head Teacher of St. Mark’s School.
The County Council is planning to review all the crossing patrols as it puts together a budget strategy up to 2026. I believe the Woodbury Road crossings should be kept.
Parents at St Mark’s are encouraged to park in the Community Centre car park and then cross the busy Woodbury Road safely with their children, under the supervision of a Crossing Patrol. To my mind it would be a nonsense to ask people to make that crossing as part of the school’s travel plan, and then remove the Patrols.
Whilst we were there, we saw not just a steady stream but a queue of children with adults looking to cross the road. Traffic was steady on Wednesday afternoon, but in the mornings there are many heavy vehicles that use Woodbury Road, including buses, refuse collection lorries, delivery vehicles and farm traffic including tractors with trailers. After the main rush, there is a ‘walking bus’ of children going to after-school activities in the community centre.
The main crossing is a complicated one, known locally as ‘the Chicane’. The road divides into two with a large central island. The School Crossing Patrol watches for both sides of the road as well as children coming from three directions.
I value the Patrols in Hatch Warren and will lobby for their roles to be retained.
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SOLAR PANELS AT SAINSBURY’S
9th October 2023
I don’t know whether this is ‘ground-breaking’ or just normal these days, but I am interested in the planning application submitted to put solar panels on the roof of Sainsbury’s at Hatch Warren.
Application 23/02435/GPDSP asks for permission to install a solar panel array generating 552.5kW on top of the store. This looks to be a very large installation: a normal house might typically take 12 panels but this is for 1,300 x 425W solar modules split over a flat roof and a pitched roof. On the flat roof area the panels will be mounted at an angle to catch the light better.
Basically, the whole usable space on the roof will be covered with solar panels.
The idea that the store could become more eco-friendly and generate a large proportion of its own power seems very positive.
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KEEP OUR SCHOOL CROSSING PATROLS!
19th September 2023
A big issue that is going to dominate debate in Basingstoke for weeks is school crossing patrols. Everyone loves their lollipop lady, or man, and rightly so. They are friendly, helpful and they protect our children from danger.
Sadly, they are at risk, and at risk from the Council on which I serve. Hampshire County Council is drawing up its next budget on the basis of providing ‘statutory minimum requirements’. That is the outcome of the inexorable pressure of underfunding combined with the growth in demand for, and cost of, essential services such as Adult Social Care and Children’s Services.
School Crossing Patrols are not a statutory requirement. This seems wrong, but that’s the situation. So the new budget approach will be seen to put them all at risk, which is an option that I oppose.
The situation is not quite as black and white as that, however. The County Council is proposing to review each School Crossing Patrol individually and then decide whether it should continue, cease or be replaced with a different safety measure. Some of the positions are unfilled. Others may benefit from automated crossings or changed road layouts.
I attended a meeting on September 18th and argued that, pending these reviews, the savings on crossing patrols should be removed from the draft budget, because otherwise it would look as if the Council was pre-judging the review process. I tried my best but did not win that argument, so the fight is joined!
In Hatch Warren, (part of my County Division), St Mark’s Primary School encourages parents to park in the community centre car park and then cross Woodbury Road, taking advantage of the school crossing patrols there. To ask people to do that, and then remove the patrols, would be crass. So, please rest assured, I will fight tooth and nail to keep our crossing patrols.
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LATEST NEWS ON BRIGHTON HILL ROUNDABOUT
8th September 2023
There will soon be more night-time working on the Brighton Hill Roundabout Improvement scheme to lay the final road surface, apply road markings and install street lighting and vehicle detection loops for the new traffic signals.
To safely undertake these activities, the roundabout will be closed in two phases:
Phase one: From Monday 18 September to Friday 22 September the west side of the roundabout will be closed. A traffic diversion will be in place.
Phase two: From Monday 25 September to Friday 29 September the east side of the roundabout will be closed. A traffic diversion will be in place.
The works will be carried out each night from 8pm with the roundabout reopening to traffic at 6am each morning.
In addition to the local traffic diversions, HGV traffic on or approaching the A30 will be diverted to use junctions 6 and 7 on the M3 to alleviate local congestion.
I am assured that every effort will be made to ensure noisier activities are carried out earlier in the evening. Night-time working will not be undertaken at the weekend.
The works are weather dependent and may need to be re-arranged at short notice in the event of adverse conditions. Should this happen, the scheme webpage will be updated to advise of the changes.
Further closures will be required to complete similar works on adjacent roads, which will continue until late Autumn.
I think we all realise the need to get this work done, but I am sure I speak for many when I say that the end cannot come soon enough!
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CAR PARK SECURITY TO BE IMPROVED
26th July 2023
As readers of this blog will know, I have been concerned about the car meets that were first held in the Sainsbury’s car park and then switched to the Lidl car park after we had ANPR cameras installed. The noise endured by local residents and the danger caused by irresponsible driving led me to the conclusion that this site had to be secured as well.
To that end I tracked down the company that manages the car park and met with them on site to discuss the problem. The tyre marks left after the drifting and donutting were still clear to see.
I am pleased to report that security is going to be stepped up: the gates to the car park will be locked at night. Starting next Monday (31st July), security staff will be securing the site from 10.30pm every evening going forward. JLL (the management company) has also instructed that signs be displayed to inform the public of the opening and closing times. This will be installed as soon as possible.
Ironically the gates have been there, unused, for as long as I can remember. Now they will be closed at night. A minority of selfish drivers has made this necessary as a result of their dangerous behaviour and flagrant disregard for local residents.
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CARS RACING ON THE A30
17th July 2023
I have written to the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire, Danna Jones, demanding more resources and a more robust Police response to the epidemic of antisocial racing on Basingstoke’s roads, as evidenced on Saturday evening.
Here’s the text:
“Dear Donna
The South West of Basingstoke was subjected to an intolerable exhibition of dangerous driving, threat to life and noise intrusion on Saturday evening and I am asking you to direct more resources into controlling the problem.Our local roads were used as a race track by irresponsible drivers. They started at the Gillies surgery car park, where they were assembling and then left to race along Brighton Way, weaving in and out of cars on the Brighton Hill roundabout (still full of cones and road works) and then all evening along the A30.
The antisocial behaviour started between 7pm and 8pm and went on to at least 11pm. At those hours there were customers still legitimately going to the shops, the food outlets in the Brighton Hill centre and to their homes. They could have been killed. The noise was intrusive and constant, and it went on for hours.I phoned 101 to report the antisocial behaviour to the Police and gave up after half an hour. This service is unusable and not fit for purpose. I have written to you before about it.
I then phoned 999, reasoning that a crime was being committed and lives put at risk. I was informed that the Police were aware and that they hoped to get Officers to the scene ‘soon’. Given that the dangerous driving had been going on for hours by then, I was not impressed by the use of the word ‘soon’.
I have reported this to Maria Miller MP (copied). I felt that Saturday evening’s events demonstrated an antisocial group acting as if they were above the law and Basingstoke was powerless to do anything about it. Eradicating this threat to life boils down to Policing and I am writing to ask you for a more robust response to this epidemic of antisocial behaviour in and around my County division.”
I am angry and concerned about this. My residents in Hatch Warren, Beggarwood and Kempshott are having race meets and car meets inflicted on them. The noise, intrusion and threats to life are intolerable. The people who are doing this obviously believe they can get away with it. They have to be shown that they can’t.
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TRAVELLERS ON BEGGARWOOD PARK
11th July 2023
On the evening of 10th July, reports started to circulate on social media that travellers had set up on Beggarwood Park, near the Community Centre. I went up there at about 10.45pm but it was difficult to see anything in the dark. The field seemed quiet.
I went up there again this morning (11th July) at 8.30 am and counted about five caravans and seven vehicles. Again, the scene was quiet.
I am pretty sure that the group accessed the site through the gate off the Hatch Warren Retail Park delivery road. This gate is there for contractors who need to access the park. I saw that it was open and the height restriction bar was pushed back. I also saw a vehicle access the park via that route and leave again a few minutes later. There were tyre marks on the grass in the park that support the theory that this was the entrance route.
The Police were due to meet with officials from the Borough Council at 9 am to serve a notice on the travellers, requiring them to leave. The Borough has an injunction to protect sites like these, and it is therefore not necessary to seek a court order every time.
I can confirm that the Police were there, and I spoke to them. So, as I write this, I am expecting them to be serving the notice to leave, and I am hopeful that by this time tomorrow, the travellers will have gone. It will then be necessary for the Borough Council to secure the gate once again and decide whether any further protection is needed, or practical.
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IMPROVING SECURITY AT HATCH WARREN RETAIL PARK
7th July 2023
One of the issues I am determined to address is that of ‘car meets’ in the Hatch Warren area. Or, more accurately, the noise, disturbance and loss of sleep caused by them.
I investigated one such meet a week or so ago. Not because anyone phoned me to complain but because, on a warm summer’s night, when we were sitting with the windows open, we could hear the screeching of tyres and loud exhausts from a mile away. I dread to think what it was like for the people who live much closer.
When I knock on doors in the area, it is the main topic that the residents raise with me. The meets impact thousands of families, late into the night.
Having enjoyed my cars over the years, I can understand how drivers can be proud of their vehicles and want to show them to friends. If that was all that happened, I am sure there would be few complaints. But it isn’t all that happens.
The noise is caused by drivers ‘donutting’ in the car park. It is augmented by (probably illegal) tuned exhausts that echo round the estate. And on some nights, it is clear that the drivers are using our local roads for travelling way in excess of safe limits.
So, it falls to me, as a Councillor to pick up on the problem and try to do something about it. I have identified the company that manages the car park at the Hatch Warren Retail Park, and I had a constructive meeting with their representative. I am pleased to say that they are minded to increase the security of the site by locking the gates after the shops shut.
Here is a video I have made.
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LATEST INFORMATION ON BRIGHTON HILL ROUNDABOUT
29th June 2023
I have received a useful briefing note and I pass on a summary of it here. I hope it will prove helpful.
The partial closure of the Brighton Hill roundabout will end on Sunday 9th July. That’s about a week later than originally advertised but not a major slippage. It means that the diversions to Kempshott roundabout and the Winchester Road roundabout will be lifted and there will once again be two circulating lanes all the way round the roundabout.
I expect that means that the cones at Down Grange, designed to stop drivers saving a few seconds by performing a dangerous U-turn, can be removed as well.
In the next phase there will be short-term restrictions introduced on Western Way. The most important is the road will be fully closed between Brighton Hill roundabout and Buckland Avenue from Monday 31st July until completion at 5pm on Friday 11th August. This is so that road repairs and resurfacing can take place.
On the Winchester Road, OpenReach continue to construct their inspection chambers and will complete in September. Work is also planned to re-align the central reservation to widen the road lanes.
In Brighton Way, the plans are for kerbing to the traffic island and road resurfacing.
In the centre of the roundabout, work is continuing on new surfacing and completing the footpaths.
This is not an exhaustive list, but the main items. My feeling is that the project is on the home stretch. The end-shape of the project is clearly visible now. A newsletter has been posted at https://sway.office.com/07kSacvVSV2W7abP?ref=Link where there is more detailed information.
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CAR MEETS – AN UPDATE
26th June 2023
I have written to my contact at JLL, the company that is responsible for the car park at the Hatch Warren Retail Park following the very intrusive car meet on Sunday 18th June.
I have told JLL: “The obvious solution to this problem is to lock the gates at the entrance to the shops. I don’t know whether this would be done by JLL or by the last member of staff to leave the shops at night. The first member in would open them the following morning. It may be that you would wish to replace the current padlock with a new one or a combination lock.
“An even better solution would be to fit ‘dragons teeth’ on the OUT lane and then to lock shut only the IN lane. This would enable anybody whose car was trapped in the car park to get out, but would still prevent anybody getting in after the shops had shut.
“The Police are keen to bear down on the car meets as part of their #Op Chromium. I have discussed these options with them by phone and they are supportive.”
I copied in local Police and Dame Maria Miller MP who has also been progressing this matter.
I have also been up to the Retail Park to take relevant photographs.
Finally, I am hoping to meet with JLL’s representative this week.
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CAR MEETS – A STEP BACKWARDS AND NO RESPONSE FROM THE POLICE
19th June 2023
I had occasion to phone 101 in an attempt to report a car meet causing disturbance to my constituents in Hatch Warren and Beggarwood on Sunday, 18th June.
I heard the disturbance at home, and went out to investigate what was happening. I found cars streaming down Beggarwood Lane and up Long Cross Lane and Wallop Drive into the car park at the Hatch Warren Retail Park. There were people performing ‘donuts’ inside and the sounds of tuned exhausts and screeching tyres. Then a steady stream of cars was leaving the meet and travelling – far too fast – along the A30, through road works and around the town.
I tried to phone the Police on 101. I started the call at 10.27 pm and gave up at midnight, with the call unanswered after one and a half hours. This is not acceptable. The Police ask us to report issues and then make it impossible for us to do so. My constituents needed action and it wasn’t even possible to ask for it.
I wrote to the Police and Crime Commissioner immediately:
“As County Councillor I had need tonight to call 101 seeking help with a car meet that was causing disturbance.
“That call has not been answered and I am still hanging on after 1 hour and 26 minutes.
“I would appreciate an explanation.”
I have received a reply:
“Thank you for your email.
“The Commissioner is aware of the delays in responding to 101 calls. The length of time you were waiting is not acceptable and the level of service needs to improve.
“The Commissioner is discussing the current situation within Contact Management with the Chief Constable to understand his plans to improve the current situation both in the short and long term.
“The Commissioner and her team will continue to monitor the service provided [by] Contact Management.”
This is a sympathetic reply but not one that I shall allow to end the conversation. I was not asking for confirmation that the situation is unacceptable – I knew that. I was asking for an explanation as to why my call was unanswered after an hour and a half. As taxpayers we have a right to know the answer.
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CAR MEETS – CAR PARK NANAGEMENT COMPANY IDENTIFIED
16th June 202
I share residents’ concern that some people think it is acceptable to impose noise, disturbance and danger on local families at night through car meets.
The latest car incident at the Hatch Warren Retail Park (the Lidl / Dream / Pets at Home complex) coincided with some progress on my part in finding out who might be able to do something about the problem.
I received reports of antisocial behaviour, as before, including noise, ‘donutting’ and racing around the local roads. One resident noted forty registration numbers, which were reported to the Police, and there were more that weren’t recorded. In all, there could have been a hundred cars there.
Trying to find out who might be able to help stop this has been a slow process. The name of the security company displayed on the gates is years out of date. A call to Lidl nationally created no response. A phone call to the security company advertised on the empty Poundstretcher store revealed that they are only responsible for that one unit.
In the end I visited the shops to see if the managers might know the name of a company that controls security in the car park. Two said ‘no’ but the manager of ‘Dreams’ had some information which he shared with me, and it proved to be helpful. The contact that he gave me put me onto the right person and we have had a useful conversation.
We agreed that the obvious strategy to prevent car meets is for the last person out of the shops in the evening to shut and lock the gates. The first person in would open them the following morning.
I am hoping to organise a stakeholders meeting, including the Police, in the near future. The Police are best placed to advise on the risks associated with this strategy and any safety considerations. If it is possible to implement the shutting and locking of the gates, the management company would need to put up warning signs – we don’t want innocent motorists having their cars trapped in there overnight.
The Police assure me that they have it as one of their top priorities to stop these antisocial car meets. Unfortunately, they don’t know in advance where they will be held. My understanding is that the organisers use private parts of the internet to announce where the next one will be, and the first the Police know is when the cars start to turn up. So, if you suspect that a meet is starting, please phone 101 immediately and let them know. That will give them a chance to break it up.
On summer nights these meets are especially intrusive, and it is grossly antisocial to disturb peoples’ evenings in this way, not to mention the dangers of using local roads as racetracks.
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TARGET DATES ON A30 ROADWORKS
1st June 2023
I have received an update on the road works past the Golf Course: like everyone I am keen to see the overnight closures ended and the whole scheme completed.
The night-time works are due to end on 4th June and currently are on schedule. The closures are needed to install ducting across the road for the new signals, resurface the road, lay white lining and install detection loops in the road surface for the signals.
Following these works, traffic management will revert to lane closures as before. This will enable the installation of the new signal heads. The works to test and commission the new signals and remove the temporary signals are programmed to complete during week commencing 19th June.
I hope this means that the end is in sight, and I will post further information as I receive it.
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THIRD UPDATE ON THE A30 ROAD CLOSURE
24th May, 9.30am
I attended on site at the A30 road works last night, along with Borough Councillor Rebecca Bean. I had been hoping that the situation would be improved but I was disappointed, and we ended up being there for over an hour.
I observed that the Hatch Warren roundabout (the one with the tall metal sculpture) was closed to traffic coming up Kempshott Hill and wanting to go straight on to access the Longacre development. That meant that the only drivers who could avail themselves of the permitted access to Saunders Way were those who had come round the Beggarwood Lane estate feeder road.
In conversation with the Traffic Manager on site, he agreed to open one lane off the Hatch Warren roundabout to mitigate the problem last night, and I was grateful for his flexibility on this. That should have made the situation better.
Last night, I wrote to Hampshire’s officers, and they have sent what they call ‘a strong note’ to the contractors and have received assurances back that the situation will be improved. They have asked for additional signs to make clear that access to Sunders Way is available.
I am hoping for a Teams meeting this afternoon to go through the measures that are being considered. I will attend on site again tonight to see how the improvements are working.
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SECOND UPDATE ON THE A30 ROAD CLOSURE
23rd May 2023, 6pm
I have some more information about the road works to construct the Golf Course development access. This is based on the letter than the contractors sent to residents there.
KAMM Civil Engineering Ltd are the contractors acting on behalf of Bloor Homes Ltd.
They have planned the roadworks to be carried out overnight from 22nd May to 25th May and from 29th May to 4th June, between the hours of 8pm and 6am.
Tonight (Tuesday) there will be no access to the golf course development.
I have spoken with an Officer at Hampshire who has communicated the difficulties that I reported from last night. I am hoping to see improved signage and a more positive presence of contractors to help residents gain access to Saunders Way (the Longacre development).
I will visit the location again tonight to see how the operation is doing.
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UPDATE ON THE A30 ROAD CLOSURE
23rd May 2023
I drove up to the site of the road works first thing this morning. The overnight restrictions had been lifted and traffic was flowing reasonably freely. There were a couple of ramps where the road surface has been scraped away ready for resurfacing, and some signs of ducting trenches having been excavated.
I will try today, to get hold of the people responsible for signage and ask for improvements so that residents and road users are better informed as to what is happening.
I will also pass on the message from a lady in Longacre that she was not able to get through to her home last night and ended up parking in the Holly Blue and walking. That was not acceptable.
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REPORT ON THE A30 ROAD CLOSURE
22nd May 2023
I received a phone call from a constituent at about 9.30 tonight reporting confusion around the road closure on the A30. I went to investigate what was happening.
As previously trailed here (see the article below), the long-awaited completion of the junction into the Golf Course is taking place and that involves overnight road closures between the Hounsome Fields roundabout and the ‘Holly Blue’ Beggarwood Lane junction. The work includes resurfacing and white-lining.
I spoke on site to the contractor responsible for the Traffic Management, and asked for a description of what was happening. I also inquired about access arrangements to Hounsome Fields, Longacre (Saunders Way) and the homes that are occupied on the Golf Course.
Hounsome Fields remains accessible. Saunders Way looks as if it is shut off, but it isn’t. Members of the construction team are on duty to watch for, and direct vehicles safely into the site. It means stopping and asking. The few homes on the Golf Course site are not accessible during the closure hours, and I was assured that the occupiers were leafleted in advance.
For traffic coming off the M3 at junction 7, a diversion is in place and, as is so often the case, it is a nonsense. National legislation stipulates that if an A road has been closed, the diversion must use A roads, and that produces a circuitous route. The simplest thing to do, if the driver’s vehicle is motorway-legal, is to take the M3 to junction 6 and come in that way.
My constituent informed me that there was no advance warning that he saw on the M3 to take that route, and I will inquire about this.
I drove along the motorway to review the signage and to approach the closure from that direction. In my opinion, many drivers will be onto the closure before they know about it. There needs to be more advance warning. Similarly, I would like to see more advance warning for motorists coming up Kempshott Hill or using Beggarwood Lane.
I have reported this problem into the Hampshire County Council emergency number and the Council officers will be looking at the issue urgently. However, I suspect that the work is being completed by Bloor Homes or their contractors. I have checked the Bloor website but found no reference to the closure tonight.
I hope that this report helps.
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HOW MUCH LONGER TO COMPLETE THE GOLF COURSE JUNCTION?
14th May 2022
I have been enquiring about how much longer the road works on the A30 past the Golf Course development will be taking. The cones and traffic restrictions are an inconvenience, and there seldom seems to be any work actually taking place there.
I have received the following information.
The remaining work on the Golf Course junction includes installing new ducting under the carriageway, resurfacing the road and painting new white lines. These items will require the road to be closed and will be completed at night. And that’s the key to the problem – the road will need to be closed.
Digging deeper, I discovered that the A30 has been part of a diversion route for another scheme (now finished) and that it will be the diversion route for traffic off the M3 in the near future, as National Highways have plans for resurfacing works on the motorway.
It is obviously not acceptable to have a diversion in place where the diversion route itself is closed. That means the network coordinators have to find suitable gaps in the work to finish access into the golf course.
The positive news is that they currently have the works planned for 22nd May to 4th June, subject to other works completing on time and no unforeseen delays such as weather. Fingers crossed!
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‘CAR MEET’ ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
10th April 2023
I am investigating the car meet that impacted Hatch Warren and Beggarwood last week. The noise, late at night, was intrusive and anti-social in the extreme, and residents should not have to tolerate it when they are trying to sleep.
Trying to assemble the facts is proving quite a challenge.
I phoned Lidl’s national number, because the reports indicated that the meet started in, or used, the Hatch Warren Retail Park car park where Lidl have their store. The person to whom I spoke did not have any information but promised to pass on my query. I have not yet received a call back.
I also phoned the Police. They had received complaints that night, that started on the other side of town in the Daneshill area. Later, it appears that the antisocial behaviour switched to the west of the town.
The Police received a call suggesting activity in Sainsbury’s car park, but that may have been a well-meaning but inaccurate assumption on the part of the caller. That location now has Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras and extra speed bumps.
I have also spoken to a resident of Breadels Field in Beggarwood. The resident told me that the culprits were using Beggarwood Lane as a racetrack, which is clearly dangerous as well as unacceptable. There were also reports of spectators watching the cars racing in the Wallop Drive area. This was clearly a large-scale and pre-planned event.
The Police told me that car meets are such a nuisance that they aim to respond to all calls about them. It is important that anybody witnessing them does call in – 101 is the correct number to use, though there are suggestions on social media that people who tried to use it were unsuccessful in getting through, which compounded the issue.
This is a very difficult problem to address, and the local Councils do not have powers to stop the meets. However, as a Councillor, I shall keep investigating what actually happened and I shall attempt to engage with the managers of the Hatch Warren Retail Park to see what action could be taken to secure it at night.
The simplest thing would be for the managers of the site to close the barriers at the entrance after the last shop has shut. Unlike Sainsbury’s, there is no need for customers to enter the site to go to cashpoint machines, and all deliveries are made to the rear of the shops. I would be disappointed if they refuse to do this.
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EXTRA FUNDING TO FIX POTHOLES
3rd April 2023
There is no getting away from the fact that potholes are the most discussed issue facing our local communities at the moment.
A recent Government announcement allocated an extra £200m to local highway authorities to repair potholes and other road defects. Hampshire has received an additional £5.954m, and this extra money is ringfenced to be spent on this activity only. It will enable Hampshire’s winter recovery programme to continue, at pace, with additional resources.
The primary objective of the expanded repair programme will be deploying more smaller patching teams that can focus on fixing potholes and other localised defects across our road network. We will also continue to utilise the existing ‘Dragon Patchers’ and other established repair techniques.
The extra money, which comes on top of Hampshire’s existing block funding budget allocation from the Department for Transport, should enable the County Council to repair up to 40,000 more potholes from this month onwards.
The Highways team is currently assessing the road condition data that it holds, which includes online reports received, to prioritise and plan the repair programme. This will need to remain dynamic as new reports of road defects come in. Hampshire’s highways contractor partner, Milestone, has started dialogue with their primary supply chains to increase the number of patching teams on Hampshire’s roads.
I am advised that the additional funding will enable approximately six months of increased repair activity.
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NIGHT TIME WORKING AND LANE CLOSURES COMING
12th March 2023
I have been informed of upcoming night time working on the Brighton Hill Roundabout improvement scheme. Work will be taking place to install drainage and undertake resurfacing works across the entries and exits at the roundabout, and night time working will be employed to minimise traffic disruption.
Lane closures will be in place each night from Monday 20 March to Thursday 23 March. The closure details are:
Monday 20 March – Tuesday 21 March closures: Exit from the roundabout onto The Harrow Way junction and approach to the roundabout on Brighton Way.
Wednesday 22 March – Thursday 23 March closures: approach to the roundabout from Western Way and exit from the roundabout onto Old Winchester Road.
The closures will operate from 8pm – 5am. Signed diversions will be in place. Every effort will be made to ensure noisier activities are carried out earlier in the evening.
I am sure that we all find the changing rules an annoyance, but it is clear that significant progress is being made with this important improvement.
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BUS TIMETABLE CHANGES PLANNED FOR 16th APRIL
8th March 2023
I attended a presentation given by County Officers and Stagecoach a few days ago. They supplied a ream of statistics and interesting facts, but the most important information was about timetable changes that Stagecoach plan to introduce on 16th April.
Here is the summary they gave us:
1: Brighton Hill Frequency increased to every 12 mins
2: Tadley & Baughurst Punctuality improvements
3: South Ham Frequency increased to every 20 mins; serves Bus Station
5: West Popley Sunday frequency improved to every 30 mins (but not via Hospital)
7: Chineham Early-evening buses every 30 mins; punctuality improvements
8: Kempshott Park Frequency increased to every 20 mins; serves Bus Station
10: Old Basing Reduced to every 2 hours off-peak
11: Oakley Minor punctuality changes
12: Kempshott Park 0833 Cranbourne to town centre withdrawn
13: Bordon & Alton New hourly timetable – buses beyond Bordon run as 23 Liphook/Haslemere
14: Tadley & Bramley Minor early morning/afternoon changes to improve punctuality
17: Black Dam Minor timing changes; last bus departs earlier at 1820.
20: Vyne Park Punctuality improvements; serves Bus Station.
There are no changes to Services 4, 6, 15, 16 and 22 in April.
If you are a bus user, it will be worth checking the new timetables so that you don’t get caught out.
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OVERNIGHT NOISE IN HATCH WARREN
7th March 2023
The noise that woke many people in the early hours of Tuesday morning was caused by resurfacing works in the Sainsbury supermarket site, improving the entrance road that leads down past the petrol station.
The disturbance was enough to wake us and our neighbours, over a mile away. It must have been much worse for people living closer. There have been adverse comments, not surprisingly, on social media.
The bad news is that there is more to do, so we may experience the same noise tonight.
I visited the supermarket this morning to speak to the Duty Manager. Apparently, the works were not planned by the supermarket itself, but by external managers. The supermarket staff were simply told to expect two nights of resurfacing work and to plan their deliveries accordingly.
The Duty Manager asked me to pass on Sainsbury’s apologies for the disturbance caused, which I am doing here.
The lesson once again, is that communications are so important. A press release to the local papers would have been a good idea. Letters to the nearest neighbours would have been a courtesy. If someone had let me know, I would gladly have given advance warning in this blog and in my weekly report in the ‘Gazette’. I am sure social media would have picked it up to spread the word. At least then, when people heard the noise during the night, they might not have worried about what on earth was happening.
So, I’m sorry to report, one more night. With fingers crossed that the forecast wintry weather does not impact the plans.
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NEED TO CRACK DOWN ON ‘RIBBON POTHOLES’
1st March 2023
I have called on Hampshire County Council to impose itself more forcefully on contractors who dig up our roads and pavements and leave them in an unacceptable state afterwards.
Everyone can see that the winter has done immense damage to our roads. Potholes are a huge issue. If you look at the roads, some have formed in isolation, but many have appeared along the scars left by utility contractors. I spoke about this at the most recent County Council meeting where I said:
“A suggestion now, and this comes to the Highways department. One of the things that we are all seeing is potholes, and one of the things that really annoys me is ‘ribbon potholes’ which form along the trenches that have been created by contractors who have dug up our roads and reinstated them poorly. For goodness sake let us, as Hampshire County Council, impose ourselves more forcefully on those contractors because they are doing immense damage to the safety of our motorists – and our cyclists – who use those roads.”
This is not only true of our roads. In Beggarwood we have witnessed the most appallingly slapdash reinstatement of a footway, and I wrote to the County Officers about this a month ago. Safety barriers were put back out of position and the trenches reinstated with large gaps at the side into which rain will flow, freeze and destroy the surface. I have asked for the contractors to be called back to do the job properly.
We can’t do anything to stop freezing conditions in winter, but we must surely be able to do something to protect our roads and pavements from it.
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PAVEMENTS TO BE RESURFACED
28th February 2023
As part of the annual programme of works in ‘Operation Resilience’, Hampshire County Council will shortly be undertaking ‘Footway Micro Asphalt’ maintenance treatments to extend the life of some of our pavements.
The treatment is applied to the existing surface, stopping water getting in, which is a major cause of deterioration. The following sites are due to start on Monday 6th March 2023:
- JPCS-B22014 – Calleva Close, Basingstoke
- JPCS-B22081 – Zinnia Close, Basingstoke
- JPCS-B22077 – Winchester Road, Hatch Warren
The sites have been split into sections, each of which will take 1 to 2 days to complete. Working hours are 08:00 – 18:00 each day, subject to weather.
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BRIGHTON HILL ROUNDABOUT
24th February 2023
As County Councillor, I have been given advance notice of some changes to traffic flows that are being proposed. They will last for about a week, and I think they are more significant than most, so I am posting the information here to give you chance to see what is likely to happen and to contact me if you think there could be a problem. My email address is sreid1786@aol.com
The changes are scheduled to take place from Monday 6th March, for six days. They will entail reducing the A30 Winchester Road and the Brighton Hill roundabout to single lane working with a partial closure of the roundabout circulatory. This will enable the surfacing of what will be extra lanes in the centre of the roundabout. The surfacing will be undertaken during the daytime instead of two weeks of night working, reducing disturbance to nearby residents.
The circulatory carriageway of the A30 Brighton Hill roundabout will be temporarily closed in two places, as shown on this diagram.
Traffic diversions will be in place that makes use of the Winchester Road and Kempshott Roundabouts, as shown below.
Emergency services and bus operators are being notified. Hampshire County Council will undertake communications to support this fundamental change to the roundabout, including advanced signage and diversion signage and briefing key stakeholders.
A letter has been sent to nearby residents and businesses.
Please take care at this time. There is bound to be some confusion and annoyance, but the effects will be to bring closer the time when this major scheme is finished.
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LLOYDS PHARMACY in Sainsbury’s will close on April 23rd
21st February 2023
Though there was no notice announcing it, I have been given this closure date by one of the staff working there.
Customers are being advised to seek alternative pharmacies, or a delivery service, without delay as the closure is less than two months away. You may need to use your phone app to make the change or log on to your surgery website.
This is a disappointing event for Hatch Warren and Beggarwood: we used to have a separate pharmacy next to Sainsbury’s; then it was incorporated into the supermarket and now it is closing completely.
Nearby alternatives are at Beggarwood, Brighton Hill shopping centre or St Andrews Road, South Ham.
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ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AT BEGGARWOOD
20th Sept 2022
The Police have sent me the following bulletin:
“This weekend has seen a rise in anti-social behaviour by teenagers in Beggarwood Park. An 11 year old boy was assaulted by a 14 year old in Beggarwood Park after being approached by a group of 2 females and 3 males. A large group of approximately 15 teenagers, all wearing tracksuits and puffa jackets, caused a disturbance outside and inside the Co-op causing the store to lock the doors to keep them outside. They were reported to have stolen sweets and drinks, to have thrown items from the shelves around the shop and made threats to staff. A meeting in the Café in the Park had to close its shutters after youths disrupted a meeting that was taking place inside.
Advice to Parents: It is recommended you talk to your child about ASB when the time comes that you let them venture out without you, in just the same way you would talk to them about staying safe. Explain how their behaviour will affect others and how it can be perceived, encouraging them to be mindful and considerate. It is also important to make them aware of the consequences for them and the family if they became involved in causing ASB.
Before they go out, ask them: What they are planning to do? Where they are going? Who they are going with? What time, and how they will be getting home?
Tell them: To think about what they are doing Not to cause distress or annoyance to others Not to cause damage to property Not to put themselves or others in danger
Access to Alcohol: ASB and accidents are commonly linked to alcohol, children often take it from home without parents’ knowledge Keep alcohol in a safe place Keep a regular check on the alcohol you have to know if any goes missing.
Young people can also be the victims of crime and disorder:Make sure they know how to stay safe Make sure they know what to do if they are victim of crime Make sure they can contact an adult at any time and who it is Make sure they know how to use the police 101 and 999 services
Reporting ASB? If you or your child experience anti-social behaviour, you can report this to your local authority or the police. Although it is not possible to send police officers to every incident, reports are recorded and help build a picture of merging issues and hotspots for local police to include in their community response plans and patrols.”
This is very bad news for Beggarwood. I hope that everyone will co-operate with this advice and try to stamp out this sort of behaviour before Beggarwood’s reputation is damaged.
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PACK LANE CLOSURE
6th September 2022
This is a big one for people to the west of Basingstoke.
I have received notification that Pack Lane will be closed from 19th September for up to three months, to allow bridge strengthening works to take place at the railway crossing.
I expect most people will use Buckskin Lane and the Worting Road as diversions which will add to journey times and distance.
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PLANNING APPLICATION TO EXPAND BRIGHTON HILL COMMUNITY SCHOOL
2nd September 2022
A planning application has been submitted to the County Council’s Regulatory Committee to expand Brighton Hill Community School. The application number is 22/02083/CC3.
This move responds to the increased demand for places at Brighton Hill. The school currently takes up to 255 pupils each year and currently has 1095 pupils on roll. It will take its full 255 in September 2022, resulting in an increase of 116 pupils as a result of a low year 11 cohort leaving the school this summer. The requirement for the modular building is as a result of this rise in pupil numbers.
The proposed new building will provide 3 new classrooms, office, stores, and toilet accommodation, which will provide the accommodation needed by the school to accommodate its numbers on roll.
The proposal is for is a single storey unit comprising factory-built bays delivered to site on lorries, craned into position, and then bolted and secured together to form a single building which in this case will measure L 27m x W 9m x H 3.6m. It will be located at the Quilter Road end of the grounds on a currently unused part of the playing field.
Full details are available on the County Council website.
NEW PLANNING APPLICATION ON GOLF COURSE SITE
31st August 2022
An important piece of news for the west of Basingstoke is that Bloor Homes has submitted a planning application for phase 2 of is development on the old Golf Course. For people wanting to study the plans and perhaps comment on them, the application number is 22/02316/RE. It can be accessed via the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council web site..
Phase 2 is located in the northern half of the site, adjacent to the proposed southern access off Winchester Road (A30). It will deliver up to 229 new homes in total, including 114 affordable dwellings.
The proposals will also include 19 custom build properties to ensure a range of tenures, types, and sizes, in line with local housing requirements. The plans offer publicly accessible open space and enhanced green infrastructure. This includes an area along the site’s eastern boundary and the remainder of the open space known as ‘Beech Green’, as well as part of the ‘central green corridor’.
There will be new and improved pedestrian and cycling connections across the whole development site and into the wider area. Measures to enhance biodiversity will include provision of bat and bird boxes, nest boxes for breeding birds and retention of grasslands and habitat areas.
The Golf Course site is eventually destined to take about 1,000 homes.
Bloor has published contact methods if you have questions:
Freephone: 0800 232 1794
Email: info@LandatBasingstokeGolfCourse.co.uk, and
Website: LandatBasingstokeGolfCourse.co.uk
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MORE ROADWORKS PLANNED FOR A30
25th August 2022
I have received information from Bloor Homes that they will be starting road works on the A30, past the Golf Course.
They have written: “ … we write to update you regarding future Section 278 highway works to be undertaken on the A30 Winchester Road. In accordance with approval given by Hampshire County Council and the previously approved outline planning application, scheduled highway works are due to begin at the end of the Summer.
These works will be undertaken in three phases to ensure that wherever possible any inconvenience is minimised, with each phase expected to be completed within 10 weeks. If the works are delayed due to weather or other unforeseeable circumstances, we will provide a further update to you at the earliest opportunity.
Hampshire County Council will also be sending out their own notification regarding the works.”
The upshot is that users of the A30 can expect movement restrictions from late summer for about 6 months.