Winchester traffic chiefs ignore pleas from Weeke residents (From Romsey Advertiser)

Winchester traffic chiefs ignore pleas from Weeke residents

9:00am Sunday 3rd March 2013 in Winchester

THE city’s traffic regulation programme is to go ahead as planned this year, despite a petition from residents groups.

Residents of Vernham Road in Weeke presented a petition asking the council to include new parking and traffic control measures in their area as part of its programme of works for 2013.

Councillor Eileen Berry supported those concerned at inconsiderate parking and the danger from cars blocking pedestrians’ views of the road.

She said she feared Weeke was becoming a “poor relation. It’s becoming a danger and parking is nose-to-tail. I’ve never had so many complaints coming in about parking. I’m more concerned than I have ever been in my ten years on the council. Weeke is becoming a poor relation.

“The whole estate is beginning to look shoddy and pathetic,” she said.

Resident Jane Marsh, of Vernham Road, said: “The general opinion is that the road’s safety should be the overriding factor and action should be taken urgently.”

But a report from officers which was presented to Winchester’s traffic and parking committee, recommended the city press on with its Traffic and Regulation (TRO) plan for 2013 as it stands. They said they had to balance priorities and that since resources were finite, further parking control measures in Weeke may have to wait for inclusion in future plans.