JACKIE’S
COUNTY
COLUMN
February
As February arrives, and hopefully the
weather improves, can I remind residents to
wear something ‘Light at Night’’ if you are
walking on country roads as dusk
approaches? Fluorescent jackets might
seem embarrassing but are very effective!
Even with fluorescent gear, and in 30mph
areas, it is nerve-wracking to walk along a
road seeing a vehicle coming your way, but
not knowing if they have seen you.
So, Drivers - it would really improve our
nerves if, having seen a walker, please can
you show that, by indicating away from
them! A great New Year’s resolution!
I have been supporting the WAAFA group:
Winchester Area Access For All. This
group’s aim is to ensure that those with
physical disabilities are able to get around
the district safely, by tackling specific
problems. They say that cyclists who ride up
quietly feel really dangerous. I hear local
villagers say this too.
The Bikeability scheme for schools will now
include a cautionary tale for youngsters so
they realise the problem - but speeding
adults could help here too by using a bell to
warn pedestrians, especially in our villages
where the roads are a ‘shared space’, and
their beauty make them a popular route for
all.
The designs for the M3 junction 9
improvements are now (nearly) finalised
and work is expected to take place this
summer. Many of you have taken a keen
interest in this work and wonder if
£0.4million is enough - probably not! But it’s
a good start, and I hope the changes will
make a real difference for residents in my
communities in the Itchen Valley Division.
There will be three lanes arriving at the
junction from Winnall which will now have
traffic lights, and the capacity of the
roundabout will be increased by adding
extra lanes around it. Arrangements are in
place to clear the A34 southbound more
quickly. Speed will be reduced on the
roundabout with new limits and traffic light
phasing. The underpass will be bike-friendly.
I remain concerned for people getting out
onto the roundabout from the Spitfire Link:
the design doesn’t seem to do enough for
these drivers. I have asked for a monitor
camera (which links to the traffic lights)
being included there so that if queues build
up, the traffic lights go to red so that the
Spitfire link traffic can get onto the
roundabout. Sketch plans for work agreed
so
far
are
on
my
website:
www.jackieporter.mycouncillor.org.uk. I
can send you a copy if you are not on the
internet.
Finally, Children’s Centres are now not open
quite as often - but if you need help or advice
and you have young children you can ask for
a home visit, or join one of the free activities
at their centres. The centres for my
9