SELBORNE appears to have taken a positive step forward in its bid to improve road safety in the village.
The decision on how to Òmove forwardÓ followed a somewhat firey exchange of views during last WednesdayÕs parish council meeting.
The discussion began after STAG chairman Bob Thompstone told councillors that they were Òtrying to undermine STAGÕs effortsÓ.
Mr Thompstone was referring in particular to a letter, sent to him by parish council chairman Alan Rushton and copied to MP James Arbuthnot and members of Hampshire County Council and the police, which he believed to be ÒoffensiveÓ.
His main concern, however, was that, having read the letter, those Òimportant peopleÓ could be forgiven for thinking that Selborne was Òa community divided in its aims in regard to road safety and environmental concernsÓ.
ÒI say, further, that in the light of such disunity it would be only human that such people - people whose support is vital to our cause - would quietly find some other district upon which to invest their time and effort - time and effort which, until the issue of your letter, they had all given unsparingly and helpfully.Ó
In seeking to calm turbulent water, parish clerk Lynda Yeomans, who was involved in the discussion, said: ÒThe whole council are indebted to STAG. We are interested in traffic.
ÒSix years ago the whole community was working together and it is a shame that it has been divided by traffic problems.Ó
Keen to take a positive stance, councillor Ron Scoggins suggested the formation of a sub-committee Òto consist of four parish councillors who would represent the whole council and two members from STAG who would represent the membersÕ viewsÓ.
Oakhanger councillor Cline Kilner agreed: ÒI think that it is a very good proposal.Ó
Members of the council agreed with the proposal and a member of STAG, who was at the meeting held at the Selborne Village Hall, agreed to take the proposal back to the action group to get its views.