HiRA report for October 2002
- Wed 9th Oct 2002
A monthly overview of the activities of Hayling Island Resident's Association...HIRA AGM to include Twinning Presentation by MEP.
Roy Perry, MEP, one of our South Eastern representatives, will contribute to our presentation on twinning, after the business of our AGM has been completed. Please come and join in the discussion relating to one of the aspects of European life that is readily available to individuals.
The AGM will be held on Thursday October 17th at 7.30 in the URC Hall Mengham. The AGM will be of the normal format and we would welcome any offers from the floor to join the Executive Committee.
The presentation on twinning will be made by some of the people involved in the link with Gorron (about 60 miles south of Caen in NW France). Roy Perry who has represented the interests of Hampshire and the IOW for some years and is well known in the area, will talk on Community activities with reference to twinning, in both of which he has taken a special interest.
A point for possible discussion is the proposal to make a joint (HI and Gorron) visit to Brussels some time next year to view the activities of the European process.
Planning and Development.
People will no doubt have seen reports in the press concerning developments which may take place in this country. These range from new airports via large numbers of affordable housing to the closing of bus lay-bys to help public transport. While most of these suggestions are unlikely to affect Hayling Island at present, we must keep an eye on such developments to ensure that some undesirable scheme does not creep up on us unawares.
While housing development will continue to some degree, it is time that communities that are already extensively developed, such as parts of Hayling, should not have further developments foist upon them just to allow other areas of the country to avoid any development. The absurdity of the scheme to dispense with bus lay-bys could creep onto Hayling and would be a disaster to traffic flow along the Havant Road.
On the general point of planning issues, members of HIRA have been approached to support a particular planning application. The Committee wishes to make it quite clear that it does not provide support to applications for development that do not have a community relevance.
Road Crossings.
It has been observed that the bus stop at the Esso garage on Havant Road is in the no stopping zone of the new crossing. We are informed that this will soon be rectified.
Concern has been raised by motorists thravelling through Mengham, that the Zebra crossing there is causing large tailbacks on occasions due to the continual flow of pedestrians. It has been suggested that a light controlled crossing shoulod be installed to provide a better flow for cars, but this might produce longer delays for pedestrians.
Does anyone have any views on this matter?
Mengham Bistro.
Our committee were mystified by the main item in last month's Islander in which a Bistro in Mengham was turned down on a number of grounds. There was a unanimous view that this change of use would be beneficial to Mengham if it were of the right quality and managed in a manner sensitive to the needs of local people. West Town has benefited considerably from having good quality eating establishments.
Billy Trail.
Now that the section of this trail between Havant and Langstone has been completed, attention will move southward.
As has been noted earlier, the completion of the link between the end of the Trail near Mill Lane in Langstone and the beginning of that on Hayling at the old railway bridge is necessary before any great improvements are needed South of the bridge.
When this matter was considered some time ago, HIRA was against any major improvement in running surface as this would encourage excess cycling speed. However if the full potential is to be realised of a route from Havant centre to the Hayling ferry a number of issues have to be addressed.
The new section South of Havant does not have any division between users as there is at the southern end on Hayling. The advantage is that a wide surface is provided and all users can keep out of each other's way. The divided way at Hayling provides the worst of all worlds to some extent and perhaps the rail down the centre should be removed and the whole width provided with an improved surface.
What do people think?
Parking at North Hayling.
As noted last month I reported the desire in some quarters to remove the parking bays behind the ESSO garage which allow one to look over the sea. This was to clean up the view from the harbour (no cars visible from the water) and to eliminate the hazard of horses and cars occupying the same bit of space as they each passed on their way.
The committee has discussed this matter and feel that this move is quite unnecessary and that the ability to park there and view the scenery should be retained. The management board will be so informed.
Round the Island Footpath.
The issue of a "Round the Island" footpath was discussed and where it might appear in the new Havant Plan. This is a very controversial issue with extreme views for it and against it. Most of the concern relates to the East of the Island as the Billy Trail covers most of the West. This matter needs considerable debate before any community views can be confidently determined.
The Island.
Travelling around the Island, particularly on foot, one observes various things that are obviously familiar to those who pass them every day and may or not give rise to concern. The new Golf Club House is going to be a considerable feature of the western end of the beach and will provide an elegant focal point to the area (see last month's Islander). Conversely the vast access road into the Sinah Warren development has
worried many people but we are assured the feature is temporary and the walls will be re-instated when the work is finished. Will an improved footpath be included?
Some of the recent retirement housing developments do not seem to have been moving very quickly and others have barely been started even though permission has been granted for some time. Does this mean that demand for this type of property is falling?
Whilst looking at the beach replenishment at Eastoke I was struck by the effort devoted to many of the gardens fronting the beach and observing what a pleasant contrast they presented to the bleakness which is sometimes a feature of that area in the middle of winter. They should be given some sort of civic encouragement to continue the work in future being one of the few parts of the Island where visitors will immediately be impressed by their efforts.
Tony Higham.
By forum user, PaulFisher
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