A GROUP of householders are calling for action to control rat-runners who speed along their residential road to beat rush-hour jams. They are concerned that the long-awaited reduction in speed limit on the Will Hall stretch of the Alton to Basingstoke road could have a negative impact on surrounding residential areas by increasing rat- running along Highridge. Speaking at a meeting of Alton Town Council's planning and transportation committee (January 30) Highridge Association chairman Colin Speller told councillors that the rat-running is "an accident waiting to happen". The fear is, that while Highridge already has some rat-running, the proposal to introduce a 30mph limit on the adjoining Basingstoke road – from its junction with the B3349 to the Whitedown Lane junction – will encourage drivers to take the shortcut. The speed of the rat-running is raising fear among residents. "We are not opposed to people using Highridge, it is after all a public right of way, but people have to drive sensibly and within the limit," said Mr Speller. He explained that 20 years ago the Highridge Association had been set up to tackle rat-running and, after a long struggle had, in 1994, achieved the installation of Access Only signs. But adherence to these was dependent on policing and over the past 14 years Hampshire Constabulary had not had the resources to carry out anything other than spot checks. Ward councillor Pam Jones had two solutions: firstly the enforcement of access only off Whitedown Lane and the B3349 and secondly the installation of a roundabout at the Whitedown Lane junction. This, Mrs Jones believes, would ease the flow of traffic and take the pressure off drivers who felt compelled to try to circumnavigate rush-hour congestion. While supportive of the residents, Alton councillors felt that this was a matter for Hampshire County Council. They have asked county councillor Tony Ludlow to take the matter up with his highways department. Mr Ludlow said that he was due to meet up with Colin Speller and to set up a meeting with Highways officers to discuss the matter. He added: "It is difficult to police rat-running but the real issue is the speed and that is easier to control.
