HIRA - Tourism is the subject of January meeting.

- Thu 2nd Dec 2004

It is some years now since HIRA had a meeting on tourism on Hayling and the effect it has on the Island and the effect the Island has on tourists.

At our last meeting, the committee agreed that tourism was good for the Island and that the Island should encourage it as a matter of principle. People clearly sometimes disagree on the extent to which we should go in encouragement, as the controversy over issues such as the Beachfront Railway and the Drop Ride show. In both of these cases subsequent performance has largely demonstrated that much of the opposition was ‘oversexed’ (to use a now well understood common phase) and that both now play their part in the Hayling scene.

Of perhaps more concern is the way areas such as Creek Road have run down, not without some relief in certain quarters, but there is no doubt that the economic viability of that area of Eastoke is under severe threat and urgent action may need to be taken.

As part of the Liveability programme, various aspects of Hayling are being studied by the HI Community Board and improvements to many sections of the seafront are being reviewed, with a mind to how we can change them for the benefit of visitors and locals alike.

If you wish to hear more about tourism issues please come to our meeting at 7.30 pm. on Thursday 20th January at the URC Hall.

Flooding Map

People may have been astounded by the map shown last month in the Hayling Islander and by its sensational nature. They should understand this is a worst-case scenario, which will only occur well into the future if we do nothing in the meantime. As residents of Eastoke will know, the meantime is in fact now, as the defences for this area are under construction and so the risk to Eastoke will largely disappear. Selsmore/Mengham work will follow shortly and soon most of the Eastern side of the Island will have been dealt with.

The important thing here is to avoid panic and to rigorously question the more extreme views, usually put forward by people who take no responsibility for the outcome.

Beach Studies

On an associated topic, I was on the beach the other day and came across a group of students from Birkbeck College in London. This is the post-graduate, part-time, part of the University of London. They were studying the behaviour of the beach and its response to the waves.

It turns out that the college is expecting to get work to study the issues as they relate to places such as Hayling and I was trying to persuade the study leader to take particular note of Hayling. This work could be useful to the Island and we should encourage it.

On a more negative side I feel that the violent blue bins that have appeared recently are a terrible eyesore. Surely something better could have been found. Part of the Liveability funding will look at a more co-ordinated approach to street furniture in the Borough, so this particular feature may have a short life.

Billy Trail

There is to be a public consultation session on this, on 28/29th January, with exhibitions at the Library and the Community Centre. Further details will be available for the January report. The Trail has been termed a ‘Destination Park’, i.e., one that people travel to for the particular purpose of visiting it. As a result of the survey carried out by HIRA (details to be available by the consultation meeting), the Trail now seems to have quite a high visibility these days. We hope this will be reflected in the various agreements being reached for its continued repair and general improvement. To this end we are continuing our pressure to provide an improved northern section to Langstone.

Arts Festival

At our last committee meeting we had a presentation by a member of Havant Borough council about the festival next year. We were asked whether we could contribute to this and any ideas would be welcome. We may be able to host an event and combine it with some social activity of our own thus providing assistance to the festival and an opportunity for members to attend and meet each other.

Footpaths

Discussion has taken place recently on the state and role of the various footpaths on the Island. The Billy Trail is well known but others are less so. North Hayling is criss-crossed with paths from the Esso Garage to St. Peter’s church, from Castlemans Lane to the bridge and a number of others that link and intersect the ones I have already mentioned.

To make people more aware of these paths, it has been suggested that some organised walks should take place on the Island. These are likely to take place in the spring. It is also intended to do a walk along the Beach to highlight the potential for an attractive route that would allow use by cyclists, pushchairs and invalid vehicles.

This is of course all linked to the tourism issue and will be addressed at our January meeting.

Council Budget Meetings

Hampshire County and Havant Borough Budget outlines will have been presented to Hampshire Residents’ Associations by the time this is published. It is unlikely that there will be time to include any outcome in this edition. However, your representatives will be noting what is stated and no doubt we will have extra costs for everything as is normal. This will be reported on later.

Christmas and New Year

The committee and members of HIRA hope that everyone will have a good festive experience and that the local organisations and traders will provide their contribution to this. I am sure that Santa will appear in many places for the benefit of the children and that whether he comes by car, train, helicopter or even reindeer-drawn sleigh in the middle of the night, they enjoy the experience.

We hope the rest of you do too.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!


Tony Higham.

Main contacts:

Chairman: Paul Fisher 92461412

Membership: Shirley Adams 92462881

Notice Board: Lois Neale 92469339

Reporter: Tony Higham 92464723.

By forum user, Mat