Go ahead for first phase of Hedge End to Botley cycle way

Thursday, 26 July 2012

A proposed cycleway from Hedge End to Botley can shift into first gear after Hampshire County Council agreed to move forward with the first phase of the scheme.

The shared use pedestrian and off-road cycleway is to be constructed on the northern side of the A334 Broad Oak, from Poplar Cottage and extending to Cedar Close on Lower Northam Road in Hedge End. Work is expected to start later in the year and will cost £350,000, with funding from developer contributions, Eastleigh Borough Council and Sustrans.

To allow for the off-road cycleway, the existing pedestrian space is to be widened to 2.5 metres. Pedestrian crossing points near to the Allen Road footpath and to the west of Hilton Road, near to the local GP surgery, will be built. Minor alterations on roads connecting to the Maypole Roundabout (Lower Northam Road, Grange Road, Kings Copse Avenue and Woodhouse Lane) will make it easier for pedestrians to cross the road and improve safety.

Part of this work will involve removing existing line markings on the road and realigning the Hilton Road and Birch Road junctions. Street lighting and drainage gullies will also be relocated.

Councillor Mel Kendal, Executive Member for Environment and Transport, commented:

"Many of the people that will benefit from this scheme are school children since this route is heavily used by pedestrians and cyclists travelling to the local secondary and primary schools. The design of the scheme will also help to encourage traffic to adhere to the 30mph speed limit on Lower Northam Road which, studies have indicated, is regularly exceeded."

• See the project appraisal report online: Hedge End to Botley cycleway

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