AND THE BEAT GOES ON
(an old Bobby's song)
YES we would like more DOG BINS - BUT the sheer cost of emptying them restricts the numbers, when the committee has the finance, numbers will be increased.
AND
More Money
The River Bank from the Dean to the Fulling Mill needs to be kept clear of undergrowth and the the Millennium Trail needs maintaining
AND
More Money
Looking to the future - road surfaces are in a very poor state and will need to be addressed by HCC as a priority BUT we will endeavour to improve environmental issues with as much drive and determination as the budget allows.
Environment Committee
This committee meets every two months and is responsible for all environmental issues in the Town including seats, bus shelters, lighting, litter, road signs, allotments and traffic issues.
At the present time it is actively investigating alternative parking solutions and the enforcement of existing parking regulations.
Recent Activities
Cycle Parking
Following a question from a member of the public last year it is now planned to install some cycle stands in Broad Street on the gravel areas between the parking bays. Special ground fixings are being used to ensure that there is no damage to tree roots.
Allotments
From an idea to reality that's what has happened with the allotments in Spring Gardens. Indeed they have been so succesful that there is now a waiting list of over twenty people. Arrangements are now well in hand to provide another ten plots which will be ready in time for the spring planting season. To be fair to everybody on the waiting list each person will be allocated half a plot.
Street Lighting
Our bid for additional street lighting in Ashburton Road has been successful and the work is due to be completed by the end of 2007.
On Broad Street
The East side from the top down to the library has had new paving slabs and bollards laid, however, a number of these have been broken and we are still waiting for them to be replaced - it is annoying and frustrating that this work has not been carried out despite several requests to HCC.
Bus shelters have been put in place - 3 in fact - we would like to do more, but as you must appreciate cost on a limited budget is always the guiding factor. We have in mind to erect another one in the next financial year.
The mysterious disappearance of the glass in one of the bus shelters in Jacklyns Lane means that the whole bus shelter will need to be replaced as the frame is badly twisted. The work should be completed by the end of March.
Cycle path on Winchester Road
You will have noticed the extra white hatching that appeared on Winchester Road between the Itchen Stoke Road and the roundabout when it was re-surfaced last year. The white lining was done in this way as a new cycle and footpath will be constructed on the left hand side between the crossroads and the roundabout. The work will take place in late January/early February and will involve the resiting of the bus stop and the provision of a short footpath on the Alresford side of the crossroads that provides a pedestrian route to join up with the new path.
The Soke Bridge
Following a written question regarding preserving the Soke Bridge from the increasing number of juggernauts passing through the town Hampshire County Council are being asked to investigate cracks in the cellar of an adjoining house.
Millennium Trail
The work to replace the remainder of the river bank timbers and limited resurfacing from The Dean to the Fulling Mill has now been completed.
Jacklyns Lane Bridge
It has happened
It has happened
A VICTORY FOR COMMONSENSE - after years of futile attempts to resolve this problem it was finally implemented under the Safe Routes To Schools scheme. The improvements were put in place with a bonus of having a second footpath INSTALLED. It has now been running for 6 months and thanks again to all those whose support finally brought this long standing issue to a satisfactory conclusion.