Local Councillors Ignore Warnings Over Permanent Bodycoats Rd Parking Restriction

This is the section of Bodycoats Road, appraoching the junction with Oakmount Road, that will shortly have double yellow lines as shown in the plan below.

As I have said before, in principle it is a good move but in practice it will have serious repercussions, and I waited 3 hours on Wednesday evening to explain  this to members of the Chandler's Ford Local Area Committee,  However, they were totally unresponsive and moved immediately to pass the resolution without considering  the points I raised. 

In favour of the parking restrictions is the fact that parked cars impede the progress of vehicles both entering and leaving Bodycoats Road, but the Highway Code says that parking is not allowed within 10 metres of a corner.  However, the double yellow lines will extend for a distance of 48 metres, as shown above.  My proposal is for a temporary parking restriction to apply at peak periods only.

The reason for this is as a result of the experience we had in Seymour Close, behind and just to the North of Bodycoats Road, when our bins were collected several days later than the revised dates due to too may cars parked in our road.  When these parking restrictions are imposed it is extremely likely that the displaced cars will be parked in Seymour Close, with the result that our bins will NEVER  be collected.  It should also be noted that Ashley Gardens had the same problem. It will also make it extremely difficult for emergency vehicles to access the roads.

However, the eight councillors, 4 Conservative and 4 LibDem, just weren't interested. Although they had to listen they totally ignored what I had to say. Could it be because I had joined UKIP the day before?

They talked about the very real problem of buses being unable to enter and leave Bodycoats Road due to the traffic - BUT THAT IS BECAUSE THE COUNCIL NARROWED THE ENTRANCE TO BODYCOATS ROAD a few years ago.  

So, as the Council has refused to listen, we are going to have to take this further and insist that this junction is widened again and that the parking restriction only applies to 10 metres from the corner where it joins Oakmount Road.  Until the road was narrowed, buses could enter and leave with ease and cars could easily turn left onto Oakmount Road.

If I am elected in May I shall show concern for people's problems and do my very best to resolve them.

A Disaster of Road Narrowing in Chandler's Ford

When our bins in Seymour Close, Chandler's Ford weren't collected over Christmas and the New Year, I didn't appreciate where it would lead.  It has put the spotlight on one of many bad planning decisions by Eastleigh Borough Council, and why we must have a change in May. Our quiet little close was deemed too congested for the dustcart to enter, due to too many parked cars.  So what is the Council going to do? Cause more congestion!!

Turn left out of our close and left again and you enter Bodycoats Road.  A few years ago its junction with Oakmount Road was narrowed - despite our protests.  Until that time there had been two lanes for traffic to leave Bodycoats Road - but they narrowed it to just one, causing very long tailbacks.

Now, as parked cars exacerbate the situation, the Council has made an order to paint double yellow lines for 48 metres back from Oakmount Road, almost to the junction with Warren Avenue. Where will all the displaced parked cars go?

Bodycoats Road leading from Oakmount Road.

Our normally quiet little close

The problem facing drivers as they enter Bodycoats Road from Warren Avenue. Double yellow lines will certainly ease traffic flow, but where will drivers park?

The junction of Seymour Close with Warren Avenue, looking towards Bodycoats Road.  Toynbee School is just down Bodycoats Road to the right and parents park here both morning and afternoon.

Warren Avenue looking the other way

As things stand, traffic congestion will be somewhat eased by the parking restriction.  But cars that can no longer be parked in Bodycoats Road will have to be parked in both Warren Avenue and Seymour Close - thus restricting access to large vehicles:

• Emergency vehicles
• Refuse vehicles

Unfortunately, the consultation period for the implementation of the parking restrictions ended on 13th December, two weeks before we had our problem with the bins, so I have been unable to make representations.  However, It comes up for consideration at the Chandler's Ford Local Area Committee meeting at the Dovetail Centre, Chandler's Ford on Wednesday 22nd January at 7pm.  

Since the double yellow lines will cause such a big problem there is only one solution:

Widen Bodycoats Road at its junction with Oakmount Road to permit two lanes of traffic to enter the major road, so traffic turning left is not blocked by that turning left. 

It will be argued that that is expensive and also that there will still need to be some parking restrictions, but the problem with the bins has shown exactly what will happen - and widening the road to its original width will prevent that.  And buses will no longer have such difficulty in negotiating the junction.

UPDATE 20TH JANUARY

I have just discovered that the bins weren't collected around the corner in Ashley Gardens, so this really is a major problem.

Accident Scam Latest

This report appeared in the Portsmouth News on Tuesday 9th January. Note the inaccuracies.

Pensioner warns motorists after scam by teenagers

SCENE The junction of Telephone Road and Talbot Road in Southsea

• by Ellie Pilmoor

A PENSIONER is warning other motorists after he was scammed by a group of teenagers.

Michael Read was tricked into thinking he had hit a pedestrian. And when he got out of his car to check on the youngster, the 72-year-old had his car ignition key and mobile phone stolen.
Mr Read was approaching the junction of Telephone Road and Talbot Road in Southsea when he was conned.
The former English teacher said: ‘I was driving in Southsea when I felt my car wheels run over an object.
‘At the same time, I heard shouting from three young people who were standing near my car. One was shouting that I had run over his ankle and broken it.’

Fearing the worst, Mr Read got out of his car to check on the boy who was shouting that he owed him money.
He added: ‘ I wanted to have a look at the lad’s ankle but they wouldn’t let me.
‘I also went to check on the damage to my car but they barred my view. At this point, one of them ran round to the driver’s door, opened it and took my ignition key.
‘I tried to get it back but they were still screaming at me about wanting compensation. At this point, all I was thinking was “please, someone come along”.’
Luckily for Mr Read, a lady walked past and helped him get his key back.
He said: ‘By now, I thought it would be best to call the police. I explained to them that since I had injured one of them, the police had to be involved.
‘But that was a big mistake. As I got my phone out, one of them grabbed it and all three, including the one who said I had broken his ankle, ran off with their bikes.’
The lady phoned the police and attempts have now been made to identify the thieves.
A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary, said: ‘Police were phoned to a report of teenagers behaving aggressively towards a man, aged in his 70s, who had parked his car.
‘A mobile phone belonging to the man was reported to have been stolen by one of the teenagers. Police have conducted enquiries to identify the teenagers.’
Anyone with information about the incident, which happened on Friday, December 13, can call 101 and quote number 44130 468266.
Mr Read added: ‘I have learnt the best thing to do is to stay in your car, lock your doors and call the police.
‘In hindsight I should never have got out of the car.’

I phoned the police today as they have never taken a full statement from me and I am now awaiting contact from the officer on the case.  I am rather disappointed - yet not at all surprised - at the inaccuracies in the press report.  They have completely missed the point that the youths tried to make it appear as though I had run over one of them on his bike.

These four comments about the incident appeared on the Portsmouth News website:

Gangs of youths on bikes frequently roam this area, often after dark with no lights, intimidating other road users.
 Some ride three abreast swerving from side to side, stopping cars passing and shouting abuse at the drivers. How long before one of these idiots is seriously injured due to their own stupidity. When this does happen his mates will probably blame the car driver.
 Good advice from Mr. Read ,stay in your car, lock your doors and call the police.

I can imagine this incident would be quite distressing for many people to have happen to them and hope these youngsters are caught very quickly and punished suitably .

Should have just reversed over the little scroat to make sure he was run over... complete oxygen wasters! Karma will prevail!

I bet their parents are so proud of those darling, brave teenagers. The guts it must have taken for them to fool a 72 year old is nothing short of admirable. I have never advocated violence, but I'd just love them to try it on with me, and see if they still think they're so clever.

Bins Finally Emptied this Morning

The bins, which should have been emptied on Saturday, were finally emptied this morning but it gives rise to these questions, which I have put to the council in an e-mail:

1. What caused the extreme delay?
2. Since the refuse collection - black bins -  is now so far behind, what will happen about the green bin collection on Thursday 9^th January?
3. As the council knows there is a major issue regarding bin collection, why hasn't a statement been put out to the local media?  
4. There is obviously a major issue as it is impossible to get through to Eastleigh Borough on the phone and they didn't reply to the message I left with another department yesterday. 

I have made some inquiries into bin collection and note that it is most haphazard at the best of times:

• Crews change so there is no consistency.
• It can be at any time between 7.30am and 1.30pm.

I wrote to one of our local LibDem councillors but have had no response from her.  I have, however, had a communication from a Conservative councillor in the neighbouring ward, who is looking into it for me.  

It is interesting to note that in each of these late collections the dustcart was a much smaller one than usual, so either we had been forgotten or else they were doubling up as the collections are so far behind.

UPDATE
I have now heard from Conservative Councillor Judith Grajewski:

The disruption hasn't been widespread at all. Normal collections will not resume until 13 January. Full details at http://www.eastleigh.gov.uk/the-council/news/recycling-christmas.aspx and elsewhere on EBC website.

There was a problem with access to Cumberland Avenue and the garden waste lorry broke down yesterday affecting Hiltingbury collections, most of which have been collected today with 3 or 4 roads still to do tomorrow.
Wednesday 8th January
 After an afternoon spent in the council offices I have been unable to find out anything much except that there was a change of crews (which happens all the time anyway) and that some roads were blocked for a variety of reasons.  It looks suspiciously as if our road was just forgotten because it's a cul-de-sac!!

THE NEXT BIN COLLECTION WILL (or should) BE ON FRIDAY 10th JANUARY.

Do let me know if you hear of more problems.

UPDATE 10TH  JANUARY

I have recently heard from Cllr Mrs Pam Holden-Brown, who has taken the trouble to contact the Area Coordinator, who advises that there are no definitive issues so they are getting feedback from the crew and hope to have more information shortly.

The point is made, as was made earlier by Cllr Ms Judith Grajewski, that access issues can be caused by too many cars parked over the holiday period, so this raises a separate issue related to parking.  Apart from that, we shall probably have to wait until the Local Area Committee Meeting at the Dovedale Centre at 7pm on Wednesday 22nd January.

In the meantime, the bins were collected this morning on schedule.

UPDATE 20TH JANUARY

I have just discovered that the bins weren't collected around the corner in Ashley Gardens, so this really is a major problem.

Uncollected Rubbish

We seem to have a major problem with rubbish over Christmas and the New Year and it seems to be quite impossible to speak to anyone in the right department of Eastleigh Borough Council.  This is obviously because they are inundated with phone calls about the issue.

I have sent the following e-mail to our local Lib-Dem councillor:

Dear Pam

By now you have probably realised that there is a major problem of uncollected bins over the holiday period in Oakmount, Chandler's Ford.

Our normal collection day is Thursday.  However, holidays over Christmas and the New Year necessitated a change to Saturday 28^th December and Saturday 4^th January.   When they weren’t collected on the 28^th some of us left them out to be collected on the Monday – which they were.

 I then telephoned the council, on Monday 30^th December, and asked what would happen the following week.  The girl assured me quite categorically that they would be collected last Saturday – 4^th January – although I doubted that this would be possible.  She didn’t see that there was a problem at all except for a few “missed bins”.

 They weren’t collected last Saturday and they haven’t been collected today, so I phoned the Council again and was pleased to note that there is now a special extension for uncollected bins.  However, I was put through to an overflow number and the lady was unable to tell me anything, except to say that she was e-mailing the appropriate department to explain the problem.

 There are three issues:

1.       When will our bins be emptied?
2.       Since the refuse collection - black bins -  is now so far behind, what will happen about the green bin collection on Thursday 9^th January?
3.       As the council knows there is a major issue regarding bin collection, why hasn’t a statement been put out to the local media? 

 I have made some inquiries into bin collection and note that it is most haphazard at the best of times:

·         Crews change regularly.
·         It can be at any time between 7.30am and 1.30pm

 I look forward to hearing from you.

 I have no idea whether the problem is the weather or some other reason but, as I said in my e-mail, and as you can see from earlier blogs, the waste collection is haphazard anyway.  The Echo are now aware that there's a problem

 

Has your waste been collected?