Hampshire County Council decision is good news for residents in part of Chandler's Ford says Steve Brine.
Hampshire County Council has given the green light to new safer cycling and pedestrian facilities for part of Chandlers Ford.
At his decision day, Leader of the Conservative-led County Council, Cllr Ken Thornber approved plans to provide a pedestrian and cycle bridge alongside the existing road bridge over the railway on Baddesley Road.
The aim of the new £1.1million scheme is to provide better links to the existing routes within the Knightwood and Valley Park areas and improve accessibility for the community to local amenities, public transport, schools and the nearby Thornden School.
The narrow footway which is presently in place on the road bridge, known as Baddesley Bridge, is inadequate for use by pedestrians and pupils given the volume and speed of traffic on the road. Over 8,000 vehicles pass along the route each day.
As part of the proposals, the enhancements will also include 70 metres of off-road pedestrian and cycle route along Baddesley Road leading to a new pedestrian refuge to enable cyclists and pedestrians to cross the road safely, and improvements to street lighting.
Steve Brine, Prospective MP for the new Winchester & Chandler's Ford constituency said: “Almost 60 per cent of pupils at Thornden School are currently driven into school every morning and this figure is well above the national average but recent survey results show many of these youngsters would prefer to go by bike. This decision is really good news for local residents, it is credit to HCC that they listened to what local people were saying and have acted.
Cllr Ken Thornber added; “With these much-needed safety improvements we hope that more people will be encouraged to walk or cycle around the community and more parents will allow their children to adopt more healthy and sustainable ways of getting to school.”
Subject to planning approvals and acceptable tenders it is anticipated that work will begin on the site in January 2009, with the main contract works starting in June and completing in September.
