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What a difference a uniform makes - Resident (30th Jan 2012 - 09:30:25) Hey, Monday morning, two police officers patrolling The Avenue, Headley Road end, no obstuctions, no dangerous episodes on the Pedestrian crossing. No cars driving on the pavement Where did they park today? Can we have them every morning. Oh I see the sun is shining, that make a difference. The report will be from the Police there was not a problem!!!

Re: What a difference a uniform makes - Jay W (30th Jan 2012 - 11:00:13) They weren't patrolling when we walked up and back - they were chatting by the zebra crossing but as their car was also parked in The Avenue (!) I guess that made drivers more aware and I didn't see any on the pavement. Yes it would make a difference if they came out in the rain wouldn't it?!

Re: What a difference a uniform makes - Resident (30th Jan 2012 - 18:08:11) Oh well, it was short lived, this afternoon, back to the old problem, bad parking, cars driving on the pavement and several cars not giving way at the crossing. The usual mayhem, Will tomorrow morning be the same?

Re: What a difference a uniform makes - Richard (30th Jan 2012 - 19:14:38) Perhaps if they patrolled on bicycles they may catch the offenders unawares (assuming Health and Safety allow them to ride such dangerous vehicles!). It might also stop the "jokers" who thing it is normal behaviour to pull out into the path of cyclists as well (speaking from experience here..)

Re: What a difference a uniform makes - Dawn Hoskins (31st Jan 2012 - 00:38:03) The police cam to give a report to the Council tonight and spoke widely about his problem. They realise that whilst they are there - there will not be any offences so will not be able to catch anybody in the act so to speak. Thy have asked people to take note of registration plates of cars diving on the pavement. They will then take action based on the reports they receive. If you happen to have a camera phone - even better - it can be e-mailed into srgt Brommell. If they get evidence of specific offenders they will take action against those people. It is great to know that the local police are now taking the matter seriously.

Re: What a difference a uniform makes - Jane G (31st Jan 2012 - 17:09:09) Hmmm...I hope therefore that those who drive on the pavement aren't assumed to be causing the problem! In a different thread about this problem I explained the issue with cars parked along the stretch of The Avenue from Headley Road to Avenue Close. If you happen to be driving towards this stretch from the other direction ( ie down The Avenue) you cannot see cars coming round that small bend. Therefore, because cars are trying to get into The Avenue from Headley Road and are having to overtake all the parked cars, the cars on the other side of the road have to mount the pavement to get past. If they don't,the overtaking cars cannot reverse as the traffic is backed right up onto the Headley Road! An impossible situation, only alleviated by stopping people parking on that stretch of The Avenue.

Re: What a difference a uniform makes - jennie (31st Jan 2012 - 18:43:08) jane i agree why cant we have no parking along that stretch of road, if there was im sure that the parking in the ave close would actually be better as infant school only cars would be able to get out quicker releasing more car parking places ,cars never parked along that part a few years ago .

Re: What a difference a uniform makes - Jay W (31st Jan 2012 - 19:16:27) Quite understand Jane G but the ones I was complaining about were the ones that drove at me at speed and glared as if I was in the wrong being on the pavement. When all is said and done, it IS a pavement. Not checked my highway code but presume it is ok to mount it in an emergency but not to drive for any length (to the lowered kerb)so as to save bumping precious car down off high kerb. Just need a few posts put in on that side and double yellows on the other side and it will keep that section clear. I expect red tape and lack of funding willmake that impossible. Also noticed today that most of the white markings put in a couple of years back have all but worn away. Mind you, I don\'t think people really knew what they were for and parked on them anyway.

Re: What a difference a uniform makes - jo (31st Jan 2012 - 20:03:02) Well, as I drove towards the zebra crossing from The Avenue, with the 2 policemen standing there, in their high visibility jackets, a car coming the other way STILL went across the crossing while people were waiting to cross! On Sunday evening we stood at the edge of the crossing, under the bright light and a car whizzed past at speed. This evening, two cars whizzed by. I always tell my children not to set foot on the crossing until the cars have actually stopped moving, because this happens so often. In Petersfield I often see people swerving around the lollipop lady's lollipop as she is trying to step out into the road with children!

Re: What a difference a uniform makes - Mike T (1st Feb 2012 - 15:21:44) Seeing the earlier reference to e-mailing the police with evidence of offenders, would someone be able to give me an e-mail address please.

Re: What a difference a uniform makes - Councillor Barbara Easton (1st Feb 2012 - 16:54:30) Police Seargeant 3182 Paul Bromell paul.bromell@hampshire.pnn.police.uk

Re: What a difference a uniform makes - highway code (1st Feb 2012 - 21:18:31) copy of guidelines for crossing How to Use a Zebra Crossing for Pedestrians First stand at the kerb, remembering that the rules of the Green Cross Code apply at all times. Once all the traffic has stopped, then you may cross. Pedestrians have right of way over traffic once they are on the crossing. If there is an island in the middle of the crossing, the two parts must be treated as two separate crossings. Make sure to check that traffic has stopped before you step off the island, in the same way that you did at the kerb. If the traffic does not stop, then you can carefully put one foot on the crossing. This means that the right of way is legally yours, and the traffic must stop so that you can cross. If a traffic warden, police officer or school crossing patrol (commonly known as a lollipop lady or man) is controlling the crossing, then wait for them to signal before you start to cross. Remember to cross on the black and white stripes between the studs as it is dangerous to cross in the zigzag area. How to Use a Zebra Crossing for Drivers, Motorcyclists and Cyclists It is illegal to park on the crossing or on the zigzag lines. If you do, you face a fine and penalty points on your driving licence if you are in a motor vehicle. It is also illegal to overtake on any part of the crossing - either moving vehicles, or the closest stopped vehicle. Even if you can't see anyone on the crossing, be sure not to overtake. It's possible that a small child or wheelchair user is obscured by the car in front. If a pedestrian is already on the crossing you must give way. Do not wave anyone across, as this could be dangerous if another vehicle is approaching from the other direction, or a motorbike is overtaking you. Be aware of anyone crossing from the other direction, or stepping onto the crossing after the first pedestrian. Remember to use your handbrake, and don't harass pedestrians on the crossing by revving your engine. In queuing traffic the crossing must be kept clear. Cyclists should remember that they are also bound by these rules, and should only use the crossing themselves if they dismount and push their cycle. This will cause some strong comments but basically unless you are on the crossing pedestrians do not have right of way! I know if I was waiting by a crossing I hope on coming motorist would have the courtesy to stop and let me cross the road (I do this when I drive). I am sorry to say once some people get behind the wheel of a car they seem to think they rule the world and forget other people entirly. My previous copy from another web page is to highlight the grey area with the rules. Personally I think ALL crossing should have traffic lights then it is one rule if the light RED STOP. Also DO they still teach the green cross code in schools? Seeing the way some (not all pedestrian) cross the road I doubt it. But thats another topic. So all those trying to cross the road TAKE CARE, BE SAFE STOP LOOK AND LISTEN.

Re: What a difference a uniform makes - Dawn Hoskins (2nd Feb 2012 - 20:09:15) It may be a good idea for the PTA to do patrolls in hi vis jackets, to take down the registration numbers of the pavement drivers. I stress that it is those cars driving on the pavement that the police are the most concerned about, so no point getting into arguments about bad parking etc.

Re: What a difference a uniform makes - Darren (5th Feb 2012 - 10:24:17) I'm waiting to get shot down over the following comment so won't be replying to any views. The problem appears to be too many cars in too small a place, so either reduce the cars or increase the space! For some time both schools have been trying to reduce the number of cars but every year more and more parents decide to drive their children to school, which they have every right too (no I don't drive any kids to school any more but use to as the local minibus driver so I'm well aware of the problem as we had to fight our way through the traffic into the school car park every morning and afternoon). So what about increasing the space available? Again the schools have looked into this by tarmacing over part of the playing fields further along The Avenue but why should the children loose this valuable grass. Now for the controversial comment! What about removing the grass verge from the southern side and the pavement from the northern side of The Avenue between Headley Road and Avenue Close. Widening the road to allow the parking and two cars to pass so alleviating the congestion. Installing single yellow lines between Avenue Close and the school playing fields (with time restrictions from 8am to 9.30am and 2.30pm to 4pm) and again removing the grass verge alongside the playing fields to increase the road width to enable increased parking without blocking the road. This could easily be completed in phases during school holidays and use money in developers funds held by EHDC/HCC, and all land belongs to HCC anyway. At the same time they could eventually get around to resurfacing the potholed road too! Look forward to comments (good and bad). Darren.

Re: What a difference a uniform makes - Sharon (5th Feb 2012 - 11:37:02) I like that idea. If the road were widened in those 2 places, parking spaces could be created at 45 degree angles - allowing more cars to park, but still allowing 2 way traffic. Even better would be some buses - but that's another issue - I would get the bus if there was one! I park well away from the chaos in the school's satellite car parking scheme!

Re: What a difference a uniform makes - Deadly (5th Feb 2012 - 13:22:26) On the subject of Zebra crossings - it is a crossing and not a place for a chat!!! The times I've stopped for people so they can cross, but instead they're having a good old natter. Move away from the crossing for the chinwag and let those who want to use it do so. I can't ever see why anyone would drive through when people are waiting, it's not as if anyone is blocking their view for a good hundred yards either way.

Re: What a difference a uniform makes - Jay W (5th Feb 2012 - 15:56:31) That could work Darren. We had thought about using a small part of the playing fields (where the bus stop and layby are, near to Lark Rise) so as to form a drive-through. Drive in, drop the kids, who walk along the path already in situ, drive out. Maybe the school could help out (or parents associations) by having an adult on hand to ensure the cars keep moving and assist with any children who are finding it difficult to leave their parents. To make it even easier, The Avenue could be one way (in at Headley Road and out at the other) at certain times of day. Those were our thoughts as we battled with our walk to school avoiding soakings from puddles, packages from dogs (not mine) and cars on pavements!

Re: What a difference a uniform makes - Jane G (5th Feb 2012 - 18:34:18) Jay When I used to live on The Avenue I always felt that a one way system at school drop off and pick up times would be a really good idea. They do it for the primary school in Headley, or at least they used to. The only thing I could never work out was what would be the impact on other roads particularly the Headley Road, as if you entered at that end would you get a big build up of cars stretching back to The Square and causing chaos there instead!

Re: What a difference a uniform makes - Tiffany (5th Feb 2012 - 21:48:46) To help improve the traffic near and around the school may I suggest that parents that live near the school walk there children to school. I live near sainsburys and I've seen many parents that live near me and nearer the school drive to school, ive also seen many parnts drive there kids to school from The mead, it's ridiculous. Many of these parnts could use the fitness to.

Re: What a difference a uniform makes - James (5th Feb 2012 - 22:49:58) Somebody, a generation ago, thought it would be a great idea to build two schools in a narrow close. Even in those days it must have caused traffic problems. So here's a bit of lateral thinking - move the junior school, or perhaps both schools, to the OSU site and arrange a land swap with the developers. They seem so keen to build houses on the OSU but Avenue Close is surely a more appropriate site for housing if we must have it? No doubt there are all sorts of reasons why this could never be done, principally because there's no joined-up thinking and our 'planning system' isn't planning at all. It's just a King Canute system where developers make all the running and public opinion can be overcome in the end. I just thought I'd plant the seed of an idea and see if anyone important is listening!

Re: What a difference a uniform makes - Resident (6th Feb 2012 - 09:26:23) Well, no problems this morning even though the road was treacherous with the snow!. Re the taking away of the grass verges, yes I would agree that this is the answer, if would give parking places for many cars, provided they didn't block the drives. As regards one way for The Avenue, NO WAY. this would increase traffic as mentioned trying to get out onto the Headley Road, or if the other way onto Longmoor Road , and thereby cause major problems at the Square during the rush hours. A proper PC seen again onThursday morning and no problems, can we have a cardboard one to put out each morning and afternoon! I await further comments.

Re: What a difference a uniform makes - Helen (6th Feb 2012 - 19:56:50) James Both of those schools have been there for the best part of 40 years. Traffic then was a lot lighter and the village considerabably a lot smaller than it is today. The generation as you put it probably never dreamed we would get all this housing,nobody thinks 40 years in advanced.

Re: What a difference a uniform makes - Resident (18th Feb 2012 - 12:28:49) Oh, what a joy this week, no cars and could leave home anytime and get back anytime! Hampshire Highways visited The Avenue and filled in all the potholes, at least Headley Road end. So Mums road should be smoother for you next week.

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