Advertiser News
Borough ditches Lee Lane closure
10:13am Friday 3rd February 2012
Test Valley Borough Council has decided not to close Lee Lane to through traffic. The plan prompted a flood of letters to the Advertiser, with motorists protesting against it and cyclists approving of the idea.
There was even a Facebook campaign against a possible closure of the route, which links the outskirts of Romsey with Nursling and is often used by drivers to avoid hold-ups on the M271.
A controversial programme of trial road closures was put in place at Lee Lane last year and following this, a report prepared and presented to the council.
As a result of these findings, the decision was taken not to go ahead with a permanent road closure, said the TVBC this week. Councillor Martin Hatley, portfolio holder for planning and transport, who made the decision under delegated powers, said “The number of accidents along Lee Lane meant we had to review the options available.
“The trial closures last year looked at ways of reducing the through traffic while retaining reasonable access for residents and improving safety for cyclists, horse riders and pedestrians.
“The decision not to make a permanent closure has now been taken, but safety and traffic flows will continue to be monitored and the decision reviewed in the future.”
Borough councillor, Ian Hibberd, who had supported making the road access-only after a number of crashes, said: “Residents are disappointed that more cannot be done at this time to reduce the traffic flow through Lee Village, too much of which passes through at inappropriate speeds through this narrow country lane.”
TVBC are planning to construct a new central island to act as a crossing point on the A27 close to its junction with Lee Lane. The island will be just north of the junction between the turning and Sunflower Lodge.
David Wilson, the council’s engineering and transport manager, said it was hoped to build the crossing while the road was closed for the work on the Ashfield railway bridge. However, this would be dependent on securing land from the Broadlands Estate and Network Rail.
At the other end of Lee Lane Hampshire County Council is to implement a traffic-calming scheme on Station Road at Nursling.