Spring cleaning: an update on progress from HCC and the Highways Agency

An update on the Tufton intersection:

Hampshire County Council are on the case regarding the de-facto footpath along Winchester Road leading to the A34 underpass and then to Tufton:

From: Mike Stead
Sent: 03 April 2013 15:24
To: ...
Subject: Re: Enquiry regarding A34 junction with Nuns Walk and London Road Whitchurch

Dear ...

I realise this is a very late reply, apologies.

My feedback on the immediate need is for the existing unofficial footway that has been laid with gravel to be cleared back of its overgrowth and possibly re-surfaced with more gravel prior to summer, to allow safe cycling and walking. 

I understand this is not a formal footpath - can you please confirm its exact status and who is responsable for its upkeep, if indeed anyone is?

I've attached a photo of the area in question. It would be my desire to see this adopted by HCC as a shared-use path, running all the way from the 40MPH gateway to Nun's Walk.

The HCC response:

Dear Mr Stead

Thank you for the information I can confirm that your request for a shared use path running from the 40mph gateway to Nun's Walk has been added to the Basingstoke and Deane area Transport Statement.  The transport statement schedule is where all requests of this type are listed.  A colleague has instructed some initial feasibility work to ascertain the possibility of implementing such a provision and initial costs.  The proposal shall then be put forward along with other schemes within the Whitchurch area for prioritisation by both the County and Town Council members. 

Regarding the maintenance requirements a request to cut back the vegetation and top up the gravel would need to be made via the following link.  The relevant member of the maintenance team will then be able to deal with your enquiry. 

http://www3.hants.gov.uk/roadproblems   {Registered 24/4, Track It number 21015315 - Ed}

The status of the path I believe is a rural type footway and it is the responsibility of Hampshire County Council.


Regarding the 'No Stopping' sign and the short section of footpath to be installed between the A34 underpass and Nun's Walk:

Unfortunately we are unable to confirm at this time exactly when the works are likely to be completed.  The order for the works has been placed and is with our contractor.  These works are then prioritised according to the urgency of the works, with emergency highway defect works taking a priority.  As soon as there is an available resource the works shall be undertaken.

The 'No Stopping' sign shall be relocated at the same time as the gravel footpath works on this corner are undertaken.

Kind Regards 
...Assistant Transport Planner
Hampshire County Highways

---

And then there's the Highways Agency, my requesting an update 4 months after the public meeting:

On 12 April 2013 17:24, ...@highways.gsi.gov.uk wrote:



Dear Mr Stead

Referring to your Email below, I am looking at the possibility to extending the existing road hatching and vegetation clearance, to improve sightlines. However, this is subject to funding being available, which is not the case at present.

As regards the speed limit, there is little I can add to my previous comments.
..., Asset Manager


My reply:


Dear ...

By 'extend the existing road hatching' do you mean more paint? or a physical barrier that actively prevents motorists cutting the corner? There is hatching there already and it is frequently ignored. If you do simply mean more paint, on what do you base your belief that it would change driver behaviour?

Regarding funding, what is required to make this happen? how much funding, and what is the funding cycle? How can locals have input to the allocation to progress this matter?

There have been two crashes in the last 5 years resulting in 'slight' injury to three people. The DfT rates the cost of three 'slight' injuries at £22,633 each, totalling £67,899 over the last 5 years §

Obviously in these cash-strapped times we must all seek to spend taxpayers money wisely. If the cost of assessing then fixing the various issues at this intersection total say £100k, but the cost of treating injured crash victims over the course of their lifetimes runs to say £20k with three people being injured every 5 years, clearly there is a business case to sort out the problem now  and not waste more taxpayers money over the following decades. Of course if someone does die as a result of lack of action all bets are off regarding value for money - as a death clocks up a whopping £2,000,000 in one go.

Does the HA take a long-term investment view in regard crash prevention / taxpayer savings? or does the counter reset every five years or so?

Regards

Mike

§ http://www.roadsafetyfoundation.org/media/11070/saving%20lives_saving%20money.pdf