There is growing concern in Alresford about large vehicle movements, especially in The Soke where the narrow road often struggles to cope with lorries meeting each other travelling in opposite directions. Residents have approached Steve to help and are now organising a petition around the size and frequency of the traffic, a large amount of which appears to be heading to Alresford Salads in Bighton Lane.
Karen Wells, who runs The Globe Public House on The Soke, is leading efforts to tackle the problem and was one of those who visited Steve at his street surgery which went ahead in spite of torrential rain.
Steve Brine said; "This is quite a complex problem actually but it's clear from what residents are saying to me the situation is getting and worse and I don't think the status quo is sustainable. We need to understand why the frequency has increased and what can be done to address that at source.
"We also need to remember Alresford Salads and The Watercress Company next door provide valuable employment locally and we obviously don't want to threaten that. A set of traffic lights on The Soke might be part of the solution but personally I don't think it's one we should rush to.
"I plan to meet the two businesses shortly as well as more residents living in the Broad Street area of Alresford. I hope we can plot a sensible path forward based on the evidence and in a way that is both sensitive to a conservation area and protects pedestrians as well as property owners."
Steve was joined for the event by Alresford Town Councillor Lisa Griffiths as well as PCSO Laura Willshire (both left) from the local safer neighbourhood team.
Main picture; Steve Brine MP and Karen Wells in Alresford from Saturday's (wet) street surgery