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Disgraceful state of the path in Passfield (among other things) - purplecurly (20th Sep 2007 - 09:00:02) Disgraceful state of the path in Passfield I was lucky enough to finish work early on Tuesday – so arrived at Liphook Station just before 5 o’clock. My lovely hubby usually picks me up but my phone had run out of battery so I thought I’d use the phone box. Phone box spat all my coins back out. None would work. No one offered to let me use their phones – so I thought I’d get the next Station Bus. I had to wait for 45 minutes for the bus to arrive, then despite resembling a frozen t*** – the driver did not allow entry to the bus. It sat warm and empty for 10 minutes!! Well. All this is very annoying but not life threatening I hear you say…….. When I got off the bus at the Passfield Oak, I remembered that there is no path. I am wearing totally impractical shoes (else I would have walked the 3 miles home in the first place) and was trying to shuffle my way along a soggy, stinger strewn muddy verge. Because of inability of shoes to do anything other than look nice – certainly not grip hold of slimy mud, I slipped over. Luckily no one ran me over. I then tried to walk along the side of the road but no one gave me a centimetre of room and I felt it was more than my life was worth. So back onto the mud I go. The worst bit was when I actually got to the beginning of the path. It is STILL COVERED with all the broken glass and debris from the fatal crash that I attended all that time ago. Now. I know that the relevant authorities must have visited this dangerous bit of roadway and seen the debris and glass for themselves – so why should we still be picking over the reminders of it all this time later? DISGRACEFUL I know that it is only a very short bit of mud verge – but for Gods sake. It is a very dangerous and fast road. I don’t want to slip over into it again. Is it too much to ask for a few metres of tarmac to be laid? Is it too much to ask that what path there is, is swept clean of the remains of that fatality? Public transport sucks and apparently so does the authority of our local councillors to do what they should.

Re: Disgraceful state of the path in Passfield (among other things) - nikki (20th Sep 2007 - 09:25:27) Hi pc, I too have recently noticed that glass is still evident and agree that the path needs attention. I hope you find this link useful. You can report it here. hants.gov.uk/roads.htm

Re: Disgraceful state of the path in Passfield (among other things) - purplecurly (20th Sep 2007 - 17:55:53) Sadly, this debate about who owns the verge between Passfield and Hill House Hill is a well worn one! The National Trust seem to own it but don’t maintain it. So as local residents we are left either to walk in the very dangerous road which has no street lights, or get stung by stingers and muddy. The very thought of enabling people to walk safely into Liphook from Passfield is apparently a quite unspeakable and unreasonable request. Certainly those straggly, overgrown, unkempt and scruffy verges are FAR MORE IMPORTANT than the safety of a few human beings that wish to traverse it. If I were a frog or a butterfly perhaps they would offer more protection. . . . . . . This is the same reason we still haven’t got the traffic Island in the road to cross safely to the Post Office. This was in fact a prerequisite contribution made by Squires Bridge Homes when they built The Lyndons. They have paid for it – but the National Trust won’t allow it. How stupid. They don’t like the idea a tarmac in any shape or form – however – they have not taken into account that people already drive over that verge day in and day out. It is just done in a dangerous fashion because it is all potholed mud ! People have died here as a result. DIED It is up to the Local Authority to take this bull by the horns and wrestle it. Humans should not be put at risk for the sake of an ill kept bloody verge. It is ridiculous. Come on. SORT IT OUT.

Re: Disgraceful state of the path in Passfield (among other things) - Janet (20th Sep 2007 - 21:23:46) I agree. it's such a shame that the path has been allowed to get so dilapidated. I remember when it was last refurbished; must be at least 15 maybe 20 years ago now. It was cleared and re-gravelled all the way from Standford to Liphook, changing 'sides' at the Passfield Oak. Afetr it was done, we could cycle along the path quite easily and two people could walk side by side without getting stung or walking into oncoming traffic. I suppose people will say there's no funding to keep it maintained. How shortsighted! Now it needs total refurbishment again, when a few visits a year by a hedge cutter (or a few sprays of decent weedkiller; sorry not very 'green' but it works!) would have been all it took to keep the path useable.

Re: Disgraceful state of the path in Passfield (among other things) - Art (21st Sep 2007 - 12:50:50) As I often come home late from London, getting off the Raillink bus at the Passfield Oak in the pitch dark to face the perils of avoiding being run over by speeding motorist, I entirely agree with the views expressed. If you try to walk on the verge you risk falling into the ditch and even with care you get attacked by the stinging nettles. What should be pointed out, however, is that we know monies were given by the builders for the little group of houses built directly behind the Passfield Oak to provide a pavement (not Squires Bridge but the other builder for those who know the area). Clearly it hasn't happened because, we are told, the National Trust have refused to give up the land. So clearly weeds, slugs and snails (and thick mud on rainy days) are more important than people.

Re: Disgraceful state of the path in Passfield (among other things) - purplecurly (21st Sep 2007 - 15:59:23) Hi Art, apart from suggesting a car share, and say helllooo, I am intersted to know that Elsmore Construction were supposed to build a path. I didn't know that. so, it would seem that we have money for a path AND money for a safe crossing point but the National Trust have stopped both from going ahead? It really beggars belief doesn't it. PC

Re: Disgraceful state of the path in Passfield (among other things) - purplecurly (24th Sep 2007 - 19:04:31) I am going to go to the Parish meeting to see if anyone is prepared to "Take on" the National Trust. Seems that they rule the roust after all and not the EHDC or Parish Councillors after all! PC

Re: Disgraceful state of the path in Passfield (among other things) - Mike Grimes (25th Sep 2007 - 00:10:01) I can see a common misconception running through these threads that seem to assume that planning authorities (at whatever level) can decide what is to be built on an individual's land. This is not the case at all. Planning authorities can only judge planning applications that are submitted. Other than that, they can only "advise" as to what might be acceptable. They certainly cannot dictate what shall be built on someone else's land without, first, obtaining a compulsory purchase order.

Re: Disgraceful state of the path in Passfield (among other things) - purplecurly (25th Sep 2007 - 12:40:00) Hi Mike, After attending the meeting last night, I have it from the horses mouth that the Parish council have no power to deal with this. As you say, because the land belongs to the National Trust, it doesn’t matter that the planning committee earmarked developers’ money for the road safety improvements and traffic island. If the road needs widening to do this – then the NT have to consent. The thing that makes me so cross about all this though is the sheer short-sightedness of it all. That piece of road is already being driven over on a daily basis, it is just being done in a thoroughly unsafe manner as it is just a muddy track full of holes. OK, if the crossing island is put in, it would mean tarmacing over the pot-holed muddy track – but if it is already being used why reject it? I just don’t understand how a grass verge is offered more protection than the residents?! The same goes for the path (muddy track). We know that the NT are amenable to this, as they have allowed a proper tarmac path on the rest of the verge (around the corner into Hollywater Road) – they just didn’t put it on the last 8 metres? WHY? I can see no sensible reason to leave out that bit? Also, the fact that the other bit of pavement is there put paid to their argument that they won’t allow pavements full stop!! There was a bit of good news at the Parish Meeting however. It seems that Passfield is going to be reduced to a 30mph limit. This is fantastic news! I hope that they will be able to enforce it – they are not able to enforce the 50mph – I wonder if there will be a speed camera? Just think of all the extra revenue the police could earn – maybe enough o get us a local bobby Ha Ha

Re: Disgraceful state of the path in Passfield (among other things) - Chris (25th Sep 2007 - 13:03:37) Superb news about the 30mph limit! I am certain that the land can be compulsory purchased. This is a safety issue and involves a small bit of roadside verge not an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Re: Disgraceful state of the path in Passfield (among other things) - Janet (25th Sep 2007 - 18:41:36) Great news that at long last the speed limit will go down at the approach to the village instead of up, as it currently does! There will surely have to be some kind of traffic calming measures put in place, to enforce the 30 mph limit. The road is so long and straight, drivers won't be able to resist using using the road through Passfield as an overtaking opportunity - unless there's an island in the middle of it for instance!

Re: Disgraceful state of the path in Passfield (among other things) - Allan (26th Sep 2007 - 00:35:01) Janet, You are spot on right on the fact that traffic will see the Passfield straight as you describe. Prior to my domicile here I used to live in East Wittering, south of Chichester from, 1984 to 1993. The so called "Birdham Straight" had roughly the same credentials as the Passfield one (bit longer,I suspect). Fatal accidents were commonplace. Drive down it now and you will find nowhere to overtake because of the traffic calming measures put in place late 90's. By and large I think that most drivers consider these traffic restrictions a bit of a pain given the fact that journey times are inevitably increased. Fact is, done properly, they seem to work

Re: Disgraceful state of the path in Passfield (among other things) - Chris (26th Sep 2007 - 11:33:51) Traffic restrictions at Passfield will add a few seconds, at most, to any journey. Tough...we'll all have to put up with it as safety is paramount!

Re: Disgraceful state of the path in Passfield (among other things) - purplecurly (26th Sep 2007 - 13:27:27) PLEASE can I urge you to write your support for any traffic calming to EHDC, the police and The National Trust. Local powers are inadequate to implement anything and only pressure put upon those who can will get anything done. Please write.......... It is no good moaning, or supporting something on-line and not in real life. I hope I can count on you all. PC

Re: Disgraceful state of the path in Passfield (among other things) - Phil MN (26th Sep 2007 - 16:55:22) Could I just ask, would it be possible for the bus to stop somewhere else in the vicinity that is more appropriate than the hedgerow you describe? Rather than changing the infrastructure (or lack of), might a simple solution be to arrange with Arriva (if it is they) to drop off passengers somewhere that is lit, and is appropraite to alight to? Am conscious that I have never walked the pathway in question, so please take the above in good faith! Unfortunately I can't see that the speed-limit is going to affect any of this, that appears to be a knee-jerk reaction in the absence of road-education and infrastructure. As for a speed camera ... despite being a law-abiding motorist I cannot see the point in these devices other than revenue creation. Do you think the revenue (if there is any) would be ploughed back into traffic measures in Passfiedl? I doubt it ... Best wishes, PMN

Re: Disgraceful state of the path in Passfield (among other things) - purplecurly (29th Sep 2007 - 20:45:04) Yes, I see your point. However, as the National Trust own most of the surrounding land, it is all unpaved and overgrown. Plus the vicinity of the dangerous junction makes any other point unlikely. It is an idea worth looking into though. PC

Re: Disgraceful state of the path in Passfield (among other things) - ellen (30th Sep 2007 - 19:47:49) If it is our elder ladies and gentleman disturbed by that path or indeed feeling unsafe about getting home I will pick u up on film night and take u home myself if indeed that helps, as I do it for my father. E x

Re: Disgraceful state of the path in Passfield (among other things) - Janet (23rd Oct 2007 - 22:31:40) I forwarded a link to this post to The National Trust, as it seemed sensible to make them aware of the situation. This was the reply. Dear Ms xxx, Thank you very much for contacting us regarding Passfield and the situation regarding the path. I have forwarded your email to the Property Manager at The Vyne and asked him to investigate the points you make where they relate to the National Trust. Thank you once again for bringing this matter to our attention. Linden Williams Administrator Thames & Solent Region 01494 755536

Re: Disgraceful state of the path in Passfield (among other things) - Chris (24th Oct 2007 - 15:57:08) Janet, Did you mention in your letter specifically that the issue that Passfield residents have is that the NT should turn some of the verge area over so that safety measures can be incorporated at the junction? It is this that is of major concern as well as the unkempt state of the area. I am sure there are ways to force them to do this just as there are ways to force people to sell-up and move out to make way for proposed traffic routes and airport runways. I am surprised that this hasn't happened.

Re: Disgraceful state of the path in Passfield (among other things) - purplecurly (24th Oct 2007 - 20:36:09) sorry - have been away (mentally anyway!) I have spoken at great length to teh National Trust. (our local area chap) They are very upset and angry at the amount of bad publicity they are getting over this - but as far as I am aware have not shosen to rectify peoples views by publishing the truth of the matter. They have not refused an application for footpaths, islands or road calming. They have never had a formal application for any of the above to either accept or deny! It is all very well us being told to lobby them over their unfair decisions by our parish council, but in fact, it is the EHDC (i think?) that must at least approach them in the first place to let them know of their ideas and proposals. They are not mind readers at the NT. As of last week, becuase of my in depth discusions with our NT man, the NT themselves are approaching the highways dept to chase them for their plans!! How arse about face is that! It seems that we have had to put up with an horrendously dangerous junction and road crossing, despite having the funds to rectify the situation for years, all becuase the council have been twiddling their thumbs!! I think some sort of inquiry should be in order. . . . .

Re: Disgraceful state of the path in Passfield (among other things) - Chris (25th Oct 2007 - 05:33:22) PC, that certainly does make you wonder what you have to do to get EHDC to organise something in this respect. So it IS EHDC we have to lobby; why didn't they say this in the first place?!. Last time I wrote to them direct about traffic issues both in Passfield and about the B3004 in general they told me to write to the Highways Agency. Where do we go from here? Do we all write again to EHDC or is there a more direct route? I don't even know what the official procedure is for this type of request. What I do know is that whilst all this dithering and adherence to beaurocracy and protocol is taking place, time is ticking away and the money set aside to fund the safety measures is closer to being withdrawn.

Re: Disgraceful state of the path in Passfield (among other things) - sue (25th Oct 2007 - 09:17:03) What really worries me it that we are all PAYING for those paper shufflers!! When this issue was raised, surely someone from EHDC should have known what to do. It seems that you can't rely on anyone there to pull their finger out to do anything - but I bet their xmas party is already organised!! Why do individuals have to run the gauntlet and be shoved back and forwards, to find out what hasn't happened, and to blame the NT if they are unaware is totally unacceptable. Perhaps there are others too, who have been blamed for situations that were not of their making, but that of bureaucracy?

Re: Disgraceful state of the path in Passfield (among other things) - purplecurly (25th Oct 2007 - 15:36:02) This is what people mean when they say we need more transparency. Wouldn't it be great if we could all see who was supposed to be doing things - and who hasn't!!!! PC

Re: Disgraceful state of the path in Passfield (among other things) - purplecurly (26th Oct 2007 - 09:09:37) then we would really know what we were getting for our money!!! I'm thinking that if this was any other sector, people would be getting the sack over this.... PC

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