RESIDENTS along a "treacherous" stretch of the B3349 Basingstoke Road have renewed their call for a 30mph speed limit. More than 60 householders signed a petition in January urging Hampshire County Council to cut the restriction from 40 to 30 as, they say, it is a danger to the community. But, while they have seen the introduction last week of an extension of the 40mph limit northwards out of Alton onto the A339, their plea for a reduction in the built-up area has so far gone unanswered. They have seen the painting of single white lines down either side of the carriageway between the New Odiham Road and Whitedown Lane, designed to push vehicles away from the edge of the road. But that, they say, is not enough. "We have waited long enough for a reduction," said campaign leader, Christopher Lawrence who has purchased his own speed gun. "I can now stand in my front garden and monitor the speed of traffic thundering past," said Mr Lawrence. "This is the only entrance to Alton without a 30 limit," said Mr Lawrence who fails to understand why there can be a 30mph limit on a major trunk road such as the A339 through a residential area but not on a minor road such as the B3349. He is calling for a 30mph limit on the B3349 (New Odiham Road) as it hits the town, just before the junction with Greenfields Avenue, until it meets up with the A339 at the Whitedown Lane junction. That would complete the blanket 30mph cover of the built environs of the town. On Wednesday it was clear, as children were swept aside in the slipstream of passing juggernauts, that for pedestrians and cyclists the B3349 is a 'no go' area. Even the postman expressed concern as he made his bicycle deliveries. Heavy goods vehicles form a key part of the flow on the road – despite the fact the carriageway is narrow and two lorries find it difficult to pass. Resident of 16 years, Sarah Buckland, said that not only did the lorries come close to the pavement but pedestrians were in danger of being hit on the head by passing wing mirrors. Christopher and Louisa Lawrence's children walk to school daily and have to cross the busy road twice on each journey to stay on the footpath. Mother of three Paula Everett mentioned the vegetation on the Willhall Farm side. "The nettles are higher than the children, they get stung in the face because you have to push them away from the road," said Mrs Everett. Ward councillor Pam Jones agreed that the B3349 should be treated as a residential road it is. Referring to a survey on the 30mph bit of Whitedown Lane which revealed an average speed of 42mph, she said: "I can't imagine what speed the traffic is doing along this road in a 40mph zone. It's frightening, and dangerous, particularly for children," said Mrs Jones. HCC highways department said: "Following the extension of the 40mph limit north out of Alton on A339, the lowering of the limit on Basingstoke Road between the Lenten Street roundabout and Whitedown Lane is being reconsidered with a view to a 30mph limit. "Carriageway edge lining has been introduced along this section and further speed monitoring will take place shortly."
