Residents' park-and-ride fears

From the archive, first published Monday 12th Dec 2005.

VILLAGERS living near the proposed site for a second park-and-ride in Winchester say it is in the wrong location.

Hampshire County Council wants to build on the city's southern outskirts, which currently deals with some of the heaviest traffic in the district.

The authority believes that the jams could be reduced if another park-and-ride scheme is opened to complement the existing one at Bar End.

Plans have been in the pipeline for several years, but the council has been unable to find a suitable site.

It has promised to revisit the project in the New Year, following the completion of a report, which officers are currently writing.

The council has already stated that it is examining a site off Badger Farm Road near Bushfield Camp roundabout, but insists that no decisions have been taken.

But residents in Compton, the village immediately south of the roundabout, are concerned about the proposals.

They are also upset that the council is drawing up its plans without consulting them.

Terry Wilson is chairman of the Compton Village Association, which has around 100 members, and was formed two months ago to protect the area's character.

He said residents should be more involved, and called for a detailed traffic survey in the village.

Mr Wilson said they were worried that Compton's roads could become much busier if the Badger Farm Road site was chosen for the park-and-ride scheme.

David Oddie, a CVA committee member, added that traffic levels were already rising, having fallen after the M3 opened in the mid-1990s.

"It's slowly getting back to what it was," he said.

Mr Oddie said the perfect site for the park-and-ride scheme would be next to the Hockley Link roundabout, which was once used by contractors building the motorway.

Adrian Walmsley, chairman of Compton and Shawford Parish Council, agreed that it was a better alternative.

He added that motorists could leave the M3 and enter the site without using Bushfield Camp roundabout.

Cllr Walmsley urged the county council to consider the idea, but said he was sceptical that it will do so.

"While they say they haven't made a final decision they're only looking at one site, so it seems like they've made up their minds," he said.

"I think it's wrong that they've got so far down the line without consulting anyone."

The county council confirmed that it was only examining one site, but no decision would be taken over its future until a full appraisal.

Environmental issues, the impact on the transport network, and the potential cost of the park-and-ride will all be assessed, the authority said.

A spokesman added that residents would be able to express their views at a series of public exhibitions next spring.

An additional park-and- ride scheme for Winchester is supported by the city's business community.

John Harrocks, chief executive of the North Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said there was a clear need for a second site.

"If you have the town congested when people drive in to shop or do business then you're going to put people off," he said.

* What do you think? Where should a southern park-and-ride be built? Write to Chronicle letters.

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