Community representatives came together on Monday 1st July 2013 to discuss the notorious accident black-spot at the junction of the A33 with London Road.
The meeting, which was organised by Winchester MP Steve Brine, included parish, city and county councillors for the area as well as Hampshire County Council, local police and the Upper Itchen Valley Society.
On the table was a consultants' report, produced for Hampshire County Council in March 2013, which recommended some minor improvements to pedestrian and cycle movements around the junction and up at Lovedon Lane at a cost of some (already secured) £30,000. It was unanimously agreed that this was seriously lacking in ambition and would make little, if any, difference to the dangers faced by drivers negotiating the junction if proceeded with in isolation.
Chief Inspector Darius Hemmatpour outlined the nature of the two recent accidents at the spot, which residents will remember from 23rd May 23 and 24th June, and Martin Wiltshire from HCC Safety Team explained the recent history of incidents in the area. The more serious accident which occurred on 24th June is still being investigated by his officers.
A number of issues were covered by the group in a wide-ranging discussion, and one major piece of the meeting was the nature of the accidents, and near-misses, witnessed and the factors which make this such a dangerous place for traffic, as witnessed by local representatives and residents on a daily basis. In addition, discussion was also held about the possible interventions which could be made, including fundamental road layout changes, a roundabout and traffic lights.
The junction sits right on the border of the South Downs National Park Authority, and as a result of the meeting, they are to be contacted as they will hold a strong interest in the junction as one of the 'gateways' to the SDNP area.
As well as covering the junction at the Cart & Horses, related discussion was also held about the A33 at its junction with Lovedon Lane & Park Lane, which is a nearby accident black-spot and it was universally agreed that it must considered as part of any change on the stretch of road.
Finally, and looking to the future, the development at Barton Farm was discussed and in particular its impact on the junction as we now know that 2,000 homes will come online off the Andover Road.
It was unanimously agreed that the group will formally request to the leader of Hampshire County Council, Cllr Roy Perry, that HCC draw up professional - and costed - plans for major changes at the junction and the county confirmed the area has already been earmarked as part of the council's Casualty Reduction Scheme for 2014/15. This must include the pedestrian/cycle improvements set out in the March 2013 report as well as agreed-to works at Abbots Worthy House which sits adjacent to the junction.
In addition, HCC have agreed to conduct a speed test on the A33 approaching the junction from both directions, and Steve Brine is to meet with the Transport Secretary to brief him on the junction and seek support.
Speaking after the meeting, Steve Brine said: "Around that table we had elected representatives from every level, as well as the police, and that allows us to speak very clearly about what needs to happen now to move this forward. The message is clear, we want significant changes to the junction to slow everything down and protect driver, cyclist and pedestrian safety for the long-term.
"None us are highways specialists which is why we are requesting very clear and costed plans from HCC which match our ambition for the site and provide something we can ultimately work towards delivering.
"I am positive that genuine cross-party working and real community leadership here will eventually lead to significant changes at this increasingly dangerous junction."
Attending the meeting were; Steve Brine MP (chair), Chief Inspector Darius Hemmatpour from Hampshire Constabulary, Cllr Keith Wood (WCC), Cllr Jackie Porter (HCC), Cllr Ian Gordon (Kings Worthy Parish Council), Cllr Penny Flemons (Itchen Valley Parish Council), Alison Matthews (Upper Itchen Valley Society), Richard Coleman (UIVS and nearest local resident), Martin Wiltshire (HCC Highways Team).
Pictured; Steve took HCC Transport portfolio holder Cllr Sean Woodward to see the junction for himself
