Residents in an Itchen Valley village have united in their opposition to a ‘dangerous’ new layout at its junction with the A31.
People living in Ovington, near Alresford, contacted local MP Steve Brine after Hampshire County Council installed what has been described as an ‘industrial’ sized kerbstone on the corner of Ovington Park Lane and the road.
A new petition, signed by 100% of residents says; “We consider the creation of an industrial sized kerbstone presents an extremely dangerous narrowing or ‘pinch point’ for vehicles entering or leaving Ovington Park Lane and request that it be removed by the Highways Authorities. Vehicles leaving the lane to turn left towards Alresford have to swing wide of the high concrete to avoid it thereby narrowing the lane further.”
They add “The kerbstone is three times the height of a standard kerb and no-one in Ovington was consulted before its installation.”
Steve Brine MP said; “As soon as residents contacted me about this I could see the danger presented by this over-sized new kerb. It’s really not needed at all, in such a rural location, but it’s a sledgehammer to crack a nut the way it’s been done. Hampshire just need to recognise the mistake and take it out before there’s a really nasty incident at this junction.”
Cllr Philip Cartwright, who is coordinating the campaign, adds; “The whole village of Ovington recognises that it presents an extremely dangerous narrowing of the lane for vehicles entering or leaving Ovington Park Lane onto the A31. We want it removed and the access widened to provide a safe approach.”
Photo attached; Steve Brine MP with Itchen Stoke and Ovington Parish Councillor, Philip Cartwright, at the corner of Ovington Park Lane with the A31.
More information, if needed, can be obtained from Cllr Cartwright at phcartwright@hotmail.com
A copy of the petition is attached for information