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Parish Plan - bdavies (4th Dec 2012 - 09:22:08) Very good to read in the latest copy of the excellent Liphook Magazine that the Parish Plan is alive and well thanks to the hard work of some very commendable folks. Wasn't sure how to take the news of a new road from Longmoor rd direct to Haslemere. Do we really need one? The biggest traffic issues occur on the Headley Road and Hill House where traffic volume relief is surely more crucial.

Re: Parish Plan - Thea (4th Dec 2012 - 15:35:58) Mmmm, I was a bit surprised that a road cutting through countryside between Longmoor Road to Station Road appeared on the 'wish list' of the Parish plan. Whose wish list I wonder? There is congestion at the Square at school run times, but unless the Plan contains a 'wish list' to move Bohunt school and Liphook Infant and Junior schools, there isn't much that a road bypassing both will be able to do. It will also cause greater congestion problems around Churchers and Brookham schools, which are already quite busy at drop off and pick-up times. It interests me to see that the developers at Bohunt Manor have already levelled a perfect roundabout-sized area of land, presumably in anticipation of the road to come - on their wish list definitely. A road there will open up a far greater area to development because it will give access to areas currently not accessible.Am I alone in seeing this connection? Who mooted the idea of this road in the first place? Or is there a ground swell of opinion that a road is necessary?

Re: Parish Plan - Trevor Maroney (7th Dec 2012 - 18:24:03) We are currently drafting the Parish Plan, but were asked by EHDC for a quick \'Wish List\' for budgeting purposes. Following several complaints over traffic problems in the village aired on this site and from several surveys, some dating back to the 1990\'s, I put forward one solutions after consulting with my colleagues. I should add that there are other alternatives being considered by the Steering Group. I therefore welcome this debate along with any others relating to congestion and parking problems in the village. If you think you have a solution please let us know. Conversely, if you believe there isn\'t a problem we would be delighted to hear from you.

Re: Parish Plan - jennyw (7th Dec 2012 - 22:24:13) Trevor, I haven\'t seen the latest Community Mag yet, so although you say you are drafting the Parish Plan on behalf of EHDC, I don't know if you are a local Company. I have, however, been mulling over this proposed bypass to Haslemere from the Longmoor Road since reading about it some time ago. Would this be a new road from the proposed new roundabout past Bohunt School on the Longmoor Road and just after the dangerous bend, then back through to the old A3 opposite Station Road? Would it then go up the almost always busy and fairly narrow Station Road, (taking into account station traffic) to the T Junction on quite a bit of a bad hill, taking a right along the Midhurst Road, over the narrow bridge, along the bendy road and then a left into Highfield LANE (speaks for itself doesn't it - and busy at school times too with Churchers and Highfield Schools both there)? Would it then come out at the very dangerous junction of Highfield Lane onto the B2131 and thence to Haslemere? Just wondered! Have any professional trial runs along the parts of the route already there taken place at various times of the day, or is this as you say just 'A Wish List'? Not on mine I have to say, or for that matter anyone else I have spoken to.

Re: Parish Plan - H (8th Dec 2012 - 10:50:53) I am not knocking the Parish plan but I wonder if the bypass idea has been thought through? How much private land would need to be bought? How many private dwellings knocked down? How much conservation land taken away? Unless this is answered, along with the costings, is this just an overreaction to the traffic in the square? Would this not just suburbanise Liphook further? Who would want to live adjacent to a busy bypass?

Re: Parish Plan - Trevor Maroney (8th Dec 2012 - 21:35:05) The Parish Plan is a community plan. All EHDC required, in the absence of the Plan, was a Wish List of potential infrastructure project that the community might require in the next 5+ years for budgeting purposes. One of the more numerous complaints we have heard is the traffic along Headley Road in the rush hour, during school runs, following accidents and when road works take place. All six roads lead to the Square. If the main problem is traffic travelling from Bordon and Whitehill to Haslemere then it may be feasible to address it with a relief road. Where and how has yet to be agreed, hence this debate is welcomed. One early thought, as you all know, is the Longmoor Road to Portsmouth Road. The thinking behind this is the alternative route from Whitehill to Longmoor and then along the A3 to Griggs Green (or continue on the A3 to Haslemere via Hindhaed) and on to Longmoor Road and the route included in the Wish List. The AA show this route via Longmoor as the quickest route for traffic to Whitehill and Bordon. I accept that Station Road and the railway bridge are not ideal, but we are not talking of a bypass, just an alternative route (relief road) avoiding the Square. You must admit, it\'s an option, there may be others. Now in the Plan we are not just looking at traffic problems in isolation. There are concerns over the lack of local employment, lack of sports facilities, a desire for a swimming pool, congestion in the Avenue during school runs, more shops particularly selling clothing, poor public transport, empty factories and shops, I could go on. Solutions to some of these will be inter-related. The recent outline planning permission from a medical centre, cricket and football pitches on Bohunt Manor will require new roads. A leisure centre adjacent to Bohunt School with large car park might ease some of the parking problems during school runs; there are other options being considered. We want to consider all options irrespective of cost at this stage. However, adding these potential developments together and it might be feasible to have a road bringing relief to traffic between Bordon and Haslemere through Bohunt Manor. But who knows. So far your planning team has spent many hours of the own, free time listening, learning and looking into different areas. Their initial reports, which are being updated as more information and ideas comes light, are on the website at www.liphookplan.co.uk. If you feel that you some good ideas to put forward and/or would like to help please let our chairman, Robin Young know. His contact details are on the website. The committee (Steering Group) meets once a month and is currently editing sections of the report as as well as drafting the Plan. The areas which require support are research into unemployment, social & welfare, leisure clubs & activities, Church & Faiths. Thank you for joining this interesting debate.

Re: Parish Plan - Thea (9th Dec 2012 - 19:22:46) I think that Jenny has made a very important point about the issue of diverting traffic through Station road and right onto the Midhurst road. Anyone who uses this route a lot like I do can see it's not been thought through at all. The right turn onto Midhurst Road is hazardous. The railway bridge is a choke point and the lanes beyond are narrow and difficult to navigate.Children deserve to be kept safe as they go to and from their schools on the Midhurst Road and Highfield Lane. The traffic problems on the Headley Road could be significantly eased by changing the rules on on-road parking. Look at the threads on this site to see what actual road users are saying. As I said before, Bohunt School traffic isn\'t going to divert from the centre of the village unless you move the school. Similarly,are there plans to move Liphook Infant and Junior school to an outlying area? A new road between Longmoor Road and Portsmouth Road is a developer\'s dream - no one else's as far as I can see. It will overcome a whole load ot sticky issues like 'national park boundaries' and 'lack of access'. It smells fishy to me.

Re: Parish Plan - Trevor Maroney (9th Dec 2012 - 21:23:47) Thank you for responding. Shall we return to the fundimental complaint and ask you, the community, the questions: 1. Do you believe that there are problems with traffic congestion on the Headley Road at any time? 2. If so, how would you propose to solve these problems? I would welcome answers from anyone who is interested in the future of our village. As I said originally, we have put forward one option purely for infrastructure budgeting puposes. If the community feels there isn't a traffic problem then there is no need for a solution, it's as simple as that; or is it?

Re: Parish Plan - Tracy (10th Dec 2012 - 10:19:20) See also the 'Traffic Bedlam - Headley Road' and 'Speedwatch Scheme Volunteers' threads

Re: Parish Plan - bdavies (10th Dec 2012 - 10:39:06) Yes there is a traffic problem along the Headley road inbound to Liphook and outbound; this is both in terms of volume and safety, whether speeding or parking related. As most of the Headley Road outbound traffic seems to be heading towards the A325 in Bordon one would assume that the primary destination is one of three places: Bordon, Alton or Farnham. Inbound it must be: Liphook (station) Haslemere and the non-A3 route to Guildford. However, until a proper traffic survey that determines source and destination of 90% of traffic is carried out it will be impossible to plan a relief road that does the job we need it to do. Before spending Council and Community money on any relief road project, proper research has to be undertaken to ensure that the source of the problem is identified and addressed. There is already a route to Haslemere that can be picked up in Headley village. Why not make the B3004 access to Liphook only? In fact why not consider making all roads directly into Liphook access only? This way, the majority of traffic that uses Liphook as a drive through and not a drive to is encouraged to use alternative routes - A3, A325 to Alton/Farnham, Headley to Hindhead and Haslemere. Please let's change the wish list to "Liphook Traffic relief - General", not "A Longmoor/Bohunt Manor/Haslemere relief road". It would be a travesty if scarce financial resources were squandered on an ill-thought out road scheme that misses the mark completely in terms of addressing Liphook's terrible traffic problem. Unless of course the funding for it is part of a housebuilding agenda on Bohunt Manor?

Re: Parish Plan - Phil (10th Dec 2012 - 16:13:34) I suspect the village deserves a thorough and transparent consultation before any Parish Plan items are actioned, otherwise we may end up with the infamous 'road to nowhere' cutting through the village! Am always amazed that plans can be put forward with minimal engagement and poor supporting logic, just because a bureaucrat needs an urgent list / wish list. That should not mean decisions are taken to expedite.

Re: Parish Plan - angry (10th Dec 2012 - 17:48:45) Having stood out in the rain and shine for a very long time at public events trying to get the message across I find it quite upsetting that this response is still being raised. We have had stalls up all over the place at local events, had articles in the paper and the website has been up and running for ages. If you have not seen us at local events - then you are not attending local events, so perhaps you don't have an opinion of local events? Those putting the plan together have taken a year or more out of their lives to get public opinion from EVERYWHERE. They are not making their own wishlist, but putting together the wishes of those who have given them. If you want to get involved then you are welcome but don't refuse to comment and then moan about those who have done so!

Re: Parish Plan - Phil (10th Dec 2012 - 20:58:01) Hello 'Angry'. As you've mentioned canvassing opinions yet haven't included your name, I would obviously be unable to confirm or deny whether I myself have encountered you at the many local events I have attended this year! Sadly, if folk are indeed able to say they genuinely don't feel they are fully aware, or are uncertain, then it is true to say that the wider public would benefit from enhanced engagement. And my reading of this thread - borne out of a passing interest - is that folk are indeed able to say they don't feel they have been fully consulted. That must be frustrating to you if you have put personal time and effort into this, but probably best to respond in a way that pours oil on troubled waters rather than give away the fact that you have some role in garnering public opinions yet chose to call yourself 'Angry'. Kind regards, "Not at all Angry"

Re: Parish Plan - Thea (10th Dec 2012 - 23:11:26) I'm still really keen to get some opinions as to why the road is on the wish list in the first place. Where are the people who want it and got it on the wish list? Perhaps they can participate in this discussion? And getting angry is pointless.

Re: Parish Plan - liz (11th Dec 2012 - 09:14:19) I'm sure a lot of effort has been put into the parish plan but I know quite a few people in Liphook but no-one whose opinion has been asked (maybe they don't get out enough). The wish list reads very much like like the Bohunt Developer's wish list to me -most things mentioned were on their original plan to develop the site. I wonder why the 'wish list' doesn't mention the need for proper consultation on Liphook's traffic issues rather than a proposed 'a road connecting Longmoor Road to Haslemere Road'. Has anyone looked at the map?

Re: Parish Plan - Jeanette (11th Dec 2012 - 09:52:40) Trevors posting of 7 Dec stated that the suggestion of a road across the SDNP was for budgetting purposes only. Am I interpreting the objection to this suggestion is not really on having a road to alleviate traffic congestion but rather against opening up the SDNP to more housing?

Re: Parish Plan - bdavies (11th Dec 2012 - 11:27:08) The only objection is to a relief road that is not fit for purpose nor in any way addressing traffic issues. The people who want to build on Bohunt Manor, as long as they live in Liphook, have as much right to put their oar in as anyone else, whatever motivation they may have. They clearly have in this case. However, we need to ensure that the Local Plan is to the benefit of EVERYONE in Liphook. Problem is that developers are often a lot more motivated to get involved in this sort of thing than the general population for obvious reasons.

Re: Parish Plan - antoinette (11th Dec 2012 - 12:13:14) Many people who need to use the trains to travel to their workplaces will be greatly disadvantaged if there is even more traffic through Station Road. Whether you need to park before you board or are being dropped off at the station, judging the time you will need to catch your train (and, as we know all too well, there is a significant wait if you miss one) will become complicated. It seems like a lot of the traffic in the center of Liphook consists of individual vehicles with one mother and one child. Adding to this, the mothers then have to park on every inch of road near to the schools to be able to walk their child up to the school gate, causing congestion for anyone trying to get anywhere else. Would it be feasible to have school buses to pick children up from designated spots near their homes (where mothers of young children can wait with them until the bus arrives) and drop them off at the end of the school day, and a "late bus" would be needed for students who take part in after-school activities?

Re: Parish Plan - liz (11th Dec 2012 - 14:22:32) I was going to reply to Jeanette's query but bdavies has done it for me. Also, a road from Longmoor Rd to Station Rd would simply create a second log jam at the other end of the village. There was a proposal for access to Sainsbury's from the Haslemere Rd but I think the proposed access route has been built on.

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