THE state and use of Alton's roads have come under scrutiny with concerns about rat-running and safety high on the agenda. But while pressure is on to force people to circumnavigate the town to avoid residential areas, one local resident has come up with an alternative proposal which he believes could address at least some of the issues. While having sympathy for residents whose roads are rat-runs, Clive Hutton has sought to investigate 'the other side of the coin'. He believes the policy to impose restricted access is flawed – roads, he feels, should be used – as long as it is sensibly and safely. And he would like to stimulate debate on the issue. Mr Hutton believes that forcing traffic to bypass natural through roads is having an adverse impact on the environment – causing people to drive further, adding to pollution, and causing additional and unnecessary wear and tear. Instead of access restrictions he would like to see all residential roads covered by a 20mph limit which, where necessary, may need to include appropriate traffic calming measures. He agrees that heavy vehicles and buses should be kept out of residential areas but feels that cars and bikes should not. He said: "As a local resident, denied the use of restricted access roads, I confess I resent the extra half-mile journey when crossing the town to visit friends, not to mention increasing delays at The Butts bridge junction." While the argument might well be to leave the car behind, it is not always practical or possible to do so says Mr Hutton, adding: "With the expansion of the town this situation can only get worse." Mr Hutton would also advocate the use of Continental-style traffic lights which turn to red if vehicles are exceeding the speed limit – "drivers soon get the message that if they drive too fast they will be forced to stop – a set of lights would be ideal for the centre of villages like Selborne." Clive Hutton would like to find out if there is any support for his ideas, suggesting that to remove the restricted access to certain roads in Alton and impose a 20mph enforced speed limit would "surely be fairer to all."
