Fryern Arcade Landlords have bottle Bank Removed

This morning when I went to the bottle bank at Waitrose, Chandler's Ford I found it was full:

So I went over the road to the one behind  the Co-op and this is what I found:

This is where the bottle bank behind the Chandler's Ford Co-op used to be.  Now it's just parking.

I therefore wrote ton the council and this is what they wrote back:

Good afternoon Mr Read

Unfortunately, the landlords of Fryern Arcade will no longer allow us to site a bottle bank in their car park.  We have been able to arrange with the Co-op to place some smaller public glass bins on their land and these will be delivered in the next couple of days. 

We apologise that the bottle bank at Waitrose is full and confirm this will be emptied tomorrow.  We appreciate that the absence of the bank in Fryern Arcade has put additional pressure on the Waitrose site.  Unfortunately, we did not receive sufficient notice of removal to be able to make immediate alternative arrangements or post notices regarding the relocation of bins but hopefully the situation will be resolved shortly.

Kind regards

Waste & Recycling Team

Eastleigh Borough Council

Tel: 023 80688440

recycling@eastleigh.gov.uk

This means, of course, that the bottle bank at Waitrose will fill a lot more quickly as the small bins at Fryern won't compensate fully.  It'll therefore be necessary to keep a close watch on this situation, which I shall do.

Save the United Kingdom

Canvassing with Steve Brine in Chandler's Ford

Yes, I've returned to the fold!!  Early last year I left the Conservatives and joined UKIP, as I felt they had become the true Conservatives.  

However, a few months ago I realised how incredibly dangerous it would be to split the Conservative vote in the General Election - now in just two days time - so I rejoined the party to which I had belonged since the age of 18, as a Young Conservative.  I am really terrified of a left-wing grouping  that could destroy all the work the Coalition has done to rebuild the economy over the last five years.

And I also value the work our local (Winchester) Conservative MP  Steve Brine has done.  Here in Chandler's Ford, the resurfacing of the M3 has drastically reduced the traffic noise, as well as making it a much more comfortable drive. In addition to transport issues, he has campaigned successfully on school places and the local NHS. And he is an effective MP at Westminster. 

The Conservative led coalition has given:

• Competent leadership
• Employment at a record high
• Tax cuts for workers and savers
• The offer of a seven-day NHS
• Pensioners being allowed to keep benefits
• Benefits cap leading more into work
• 2.8% rise in growth

An unforgivable mistake

In today's Daily Telegraph Ian Duncan Smith says that anyone considering backing UKIP is making an"unforgivable mistake." 

And this is exactly why I returned to the Conservatives. He says UKIP voters will be ruining their chance of getting to vote on Britain's membership of the European Union if the Conservatives aren't returned.  IDS  has always been very Eurosceptic and voted for a referendum back in 1993.  Like me on the doorstep he says to Ukip voters that the only way we'll get the referendum is to have a Conservative government.

None of the other parties will countenance a referendum, so a vote for Ukip could prevent a Conservative government from being elected, hence no referendum.  An unforgivable mistake, he says.

A left-wing government

I am terrified of our having a left-wing government consisting of Labour, SNP and Greens.  Although the polls predict that the Tories will be the biggest party after Thursday's election, with the support of the SNP, Miliband could still become Prime Minister despite having fewer MPs than Cameron.

This would feel to voters that the election had been stolen from them.

A rag-bag of left-wingers with demands for more spending, leading to more borrowing and higher taxation, would be a nightmare.  Nicola Sturgeon will also demand that we give up our nuclear deterrent, and defence itself will become subject to more cuts than under the Coalition.  We mustn't forget that we have a resurgent Russia on NATO's borders and which is also making pacts with Argentina regarding the Falklands.  

And we have a real threat from ISIL, which would be compounded by Miliband's policy of banning "Islamophobia," thus through inference making any reference to Islamic extremism a criminal offence.  People will find it impossible to report suspects.

Labour governments never have worked.  The Conservatives have always had to clear up their mess.

Destruction of the UK?

But there is one mess they could make that would never be cleared up: Scottish independence and the breakup of the UK.  Miliband says it would never happen if he were prime minister - but with up to 50 MPs the SNP could force another referendum leading to the possible destruction of our 300 year old Union.

In Eastleigh, Mike Thornton had a majority of 1771 at the by-election in 2013.  His vote was just 13,342, while the combined UKIP and Conservative vote was 22,130.  

Ukippers, please think very hard about this.  The only way to vote is Conservative to keep the LibDem out and get our EU referendum.  AND TO PRESERVE THE UNITED KINGDOM

Traffic Nightmare in Chandler's Ford

Oakmount Road closed between Constantine Avenue and Hillcrest Avenue

Despite saying that they were closing the road between Carisbrooke Crescent and Constantine Avenue in one go, the contractors have been more sensible and done it in two stages.  Oakmount Avenue is now closed between Hillcrest Avenue and Constantine Avenue.

However, this has caused a tremendous traffic jam southbound along Winchester Road and Bournemouth Road.  The only practical way into Southampton from Chandler's Ford is up Winchester Road to Junction 12 of the M3.  There is also a considerable delay for traffic heading towards Junction 5 of the M27, with a queue the length of Stoneham Lane/Stoneham Way and also right along Twyford Road and Southampton Road up to Junction 5.  It's apparently caused by roadworks between J3 and J7 of the M27.  So - a nightmare all round, which suggests bad planning there as well as with the Oakmount Road work.

Surely the answer to the Oakmount Road work would have been to close one side of the road at a time and regulate the traffic flow by traffic lights.  I should like to know who masterminded this shambles and shall be doing all I can to find out.

Oakmount Road - the Saga Continues

 The Oakmount Road roadworks are back on again despite my having been told that they had been abandoned due to complaints and the weather.  The road is closed between the junctions with Carisbrooke Crescent and Constantine Avenue until 4.30pm

The man who was so helpful on Wednesday was abusive this morning when I tried to ask what the arrangements were, telling me to get off the road or he would call the police.

I had to ask several of the contractors just which section was to be closed and I got a different answer from each one, finally ending up with a definitive answer:  "between Sites 1 and 2."  I finally worked out that it is closed between Carisbrooke Cres and Constantine Ave.  They blame the Council for the confusion, but I'm sure it's not as simple as that.

Oakmount Road: Rain Stops Play - or is it Too Many Complaints?

There will be no more roadworks in Oakmount Road, at least for the time being.

The contractors got as far as the barrier shown in the top photo, which is just beyond Bodycoats Road opposite Seymour Close and then called it a day citing too many complaints. They stopped work at 4.30 this afternoon.  However, they did also say that the forecast was rain for the rest of the week.

Although the Highways Agency man I was speaking to this morning said that the road would be open on one side to enable residents access, it is clear from the lower photo that this was not the case.  In fact, the contractors were complaining when residents removed the cones in order to get through and threatened that they would be reported to the police.  The two lorries were placed side by side to prevent vehicles from passing.

At this stage it is not clear just who is responsible for making such a mess of these roadworks, but Councillor Davidovitz is looking into it.  What is certain, however, is that residents were not notified as to what was to be closed and when.  Notices should have been placed clearly on lampposts so everyone affected would have been able to take appropriate action.

Half-term was chosen to minimise disruption but, if the work is to continue, it will not now be possible until Easter.

Oakmount Road - At last a Pattern Emerges

Oakmount Road is closed today between Carisbrooke Crescent and Oakmount Avenue.

This morning I spoke to a man driving a Highways Maintenance van, who told me  that this section would be completed today and the rest of Oakmount Road will be done in sections on Thursday and Friday.

One side of the road to be closed at a time.

I asked him whether the entire road in each section would be closed at the same time and he said no, just one side.  However, that doesn't appear to be the case at the moment. But he says that Mount Drive residents will definitely be able get in and out.

Improved Signage

Yesterday Councillor Davidovitz asked for the contractors to provide improved signage to make sure that residents understand just how they are affected, so I inspected Oakmount Road from where it is closed at its junction with Carisbrooke Crescent up to Winchester Road - and this is what I found:

A Road Closed Ahead sign at the junction with Constantine Avenue, the same as yesterday.

And then I drove up to the junction with Winchester Road and found these signs:

 Oakmount Road with Winchester Road running across the top

 Turning right from Winchester Road into Oakmount Road

What diverted traffic? I assume these are in place for later in the week.

A sign in Oakmount Road itself, just before its junction with Peverells Road

I'm not sure that this is improved signage but at least we now know that Oakmount Road is to be closed in sections and only one side of the road at a time.  But we don't know how the contractors will inform residents in the top part of Oakmount Road, who park their cars at the kerb.

Oakmount Road Closure

Councillor Davidovitz has spoken to highways officers and they will contact the Contractor regarding concerns about the inadequate signage I reported to him

This is the note Cllr Davidovitz received in advance of the work and which he passed on to local Councillors and the Parish council:

I am writing to you to inform you of my intention to carry out joint sealing works on Oakmount Road, Chandlers Ford between Winchester Road and Leigh Road junctions. The works are currently programmed to commence on Sunday 15 February and are expected to last for 5 days. These repairs to the carriageway are taking place to seal the current surface from water ingress and other such elements. The works will be taking place under restricted hours of 9:30 – 16:30 and will be separated into 3 phases to limit the inconvenience to the residents and business owners in the vicinity.

Whilst the joint sealing is carried out, every effort will be made to minimise disruption to highway users, although for Health and Safety reasons much of this work will require a road closure. Delays are to be expected but there will be gatemen on site to help with any problems.  As much notification will be provided to the public as possible via signage erected on the road. As previously mentioned, the overarching programme is extensive and changes to dates and times are likely, and often at short notice. The pre warning signs will be updated as soon as possible to help inform the travelling public.

Should you have any queries or require further information please call the contact centre on 0300 555 1388 or email operation.resilience@hants.gov.uk

We can see that they say above that the work was due to start on Sunday but the signs put out said Monday:

Oakmount Road - Don't Know Where; Don't Know When

Work is taking place at the bottom of Oakmount Road south of Oakmount Avenue this morning.

Presumably the heavy rain yesterday stopped the work so it has continued this morning. There is a diversion through Oakmount Avenue and Ford Avenue to Leigh Road.  

There is a warning sign at the junction of Constantine Road and Oakmount Road to warn of the closure ahead.

Hampshire County Council says that, although what signs there are clearly state that the whole of the road will be closed between 9.30am and 4.30pm for the five days this week, they have no idea where or when various sections of the road will be closed. "Any sections open will be a bonus."  County Councillor Colin Davidovitz will therefore look into the matter and advise as soon as possible.  He will ask the contractors, Amey, to provide adequate signage and to say when and where the various sections of the road will be closed.

Oakmount Road

This shows a tiny notice at the junction of Bodycoats Road that gives information about the road closure.  However, it can only be read by pedestrians and is not visible to motorists, which is why we failed to see it although driving in and out of this road very regularly.  There is also one in Hillcrest Avenue but nothing in Oakmount Avenue and I couldn't see anything in Carisbrooke Crescent or Beresford Road while passing.

The council has failed to contact me so I still have absolutely no idea how they are going to proceed with these roadworks.  It is a complete shambles and the rain today has only made matters worse.

Oakmount Road Update!!!

At 9.30 this morning Oakmount Road appeared to be open as usual so I phoned the Council - Hampshire Highways - on 0300 555 1388 and was unable to get through to the people who are dealing with these roadworks, so I left my contact details so they could return my call.  They gave the Reference 21142287. 

Later, we had to go into Eastleigh to do some shopping and were confronted with this at the junction with Oakmount Avenue:

However, when we returned home it was raining and the road was open as usual and the Highways Department still haven't returned my call.

It would have helped if the Council had stated that they were intending to repair the road in segments and explain which parts would be closed and when.

Oakmount Road, Chandler's Ford Closure

Oakmount Road to be closed in its entirety from tomorrow

We have just discovered that Oakmount Road, Chandler's Ford is to be closed from tomorrow - Monday 16th February until Friday 20th February during the times specified above.

We have driven past this sign near the bottom of Oakmount Road and two others quite a few times but the only way I was able to discover what was on it was to park in front of it.  There are no signs on roads at their junctions with Oakmount Road, such as Hillcrest Avenue and Bodycoats Road, advising of this closure.  Thus I fear that many residents will be totally unaware that Oakmount Road will be closed.

This is what the Liberal Democrat run council says hidden away on its website:

BOROUGH OF EASTLEIGH 

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 – SECTION 14 

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF OAKMOUNT ROAD, CHANDLERS FORD 

By arrangements made under section 19 of the Local Government Act 2000 

with Hampshire County Council, notice is hereby given that Eastleigh Borough 

Council proposes to make a temporary closure order pursuant to the 

legislation above as the Council is satisfied that traffic on the road(s) below 

should be restricted because works are proposed to be executed on or near 

the road, the effect of which is detailed below.

Roads to be Closed:  (There is only one road to be closed)

Oakmount Road, from its junction with Leigh Road to its junction with 

Winchester Road 

Alternative Route: 

Leigh Road, Bournemouth Road, Winchester Road, and its reverse. 

Reason for Closure: 

To allow Hampshire County Council to carry out carriageway repairs 

Period of Closure: 

The order will be effective from 02 February 2015 for a period of 6 months; 

notwithstanding this it is expected that the closure will only be in place for a 

period of 4 days. The work will be completed in phases, during the spring half 

term and/or Easter school holiday. 

The closures specified above apply only during such times and to such extent 

as indicated by traffic signs prescribed by the Traffic Signs Regulations & 

General Directions 2002. 

DATED: 16 January 2015

(Any enquiries, please contact Hampshire Highways on 0300 555 or

email roads@hants.gov.uk)

I am very disappointed that the council has made so little attempt to advertise such an important road closure.