ALTON Society chairman Geoff Nicholas has expressed ÒdisgustÓ over Hampshire County CouncilÕs Òfailure to deliverÓ on AltonÕs Traffic Access and Movement Study.
In the societyÕs autumn newsletter, Mr Nicholas points out that it is now two years since the study was begun and, despite the stated intention to complete it within three months, it has yet to see the light of day.
Having contributed to the study, the Alton Society has not been consulted since and Ònor, to the best of my belief, has anyone elseÓ, states Mr Nicholas.
ÒContrast this with their study of Petersfield, which was completed in 2000 after only 13 months during which time they consulted with various organisations and held a public exhibition,Ó said Mr Nicholas. who professes, nevertheless, to be ÒunimpressedÓ with the finished result.
That aside, Geoff Nicholas stresses what he feels to be a Òdesperate needÓ in Alton for a traffic management study.
He highlights in particular the major development of the former Lord Mayor Treloar Hospital site and Òthe very real threat from developers who are attempting to break through the current development policy boundaryÓ.
ÒThe inspectorÕs inquiry into the second review of East Hampshire District CouncilÕs Local Plan will take place in the spring when the developersÕ objections will be considered, and in the absence of a county traffic plan, we shall be hard pressed to counter their presentations,Ó he said.
The Alton Society has been pressing councillors for some time to hasten the study but, to no avail. Mr Nicholas is unimpressed.
ÒOur next step is to write to the chairman of Hampshire County Council to express our disgust.Ó