Recent consultation with residents carried out by Hampshire County Council, Fareham Borough Council and Winchester City Council about changing the use of the Yew Tree Drive bus link in Whiteley has shown there is no overall demand from the whole community to make any particular changes at this time. The response from the public was divided and, with the planning application for North Whiteley due to be submitted the Spring, the councils felt that this would be a more appropriate time to consider changes, when it would possible to take into account firm plans for this new development.

The consultation asked local residents and businesses, who live east of the existing bus gate in Whiteley and west of the bus link in Swanwick, Park Gate and Burridge if they thought that Yew Tree Drive should be trialled as an alternative link for all traffic.

Alongside the outcome of the consultation, Hampshire County Council has looked at the advantages and disadvantages of opening the bus link to all traffic, examining different scenarios using surveys and local traffic counts to predict traffic at the busiest times of day which was shown to residents. Some of the suggestions arising from the public consultation for consideration include banning lorry traffic from Yew Tree Drive and along Swanwick Lane, preventing vehicles from parking on the A3051 Botley Road, vehicle speed reductions and provision of better public transport.

Councillor Mel Kendal, Executive Member for Environment, said: “This is a complex situation which we are all keen to resolve but we must consider the implications carefully. Whiteley has developed as a community with one main access onto the M27. At peak times, congestion is a recurring problem and clearly something needs to be done but what is not clear at this time is whether that means opening the Yew Tree Drive bus link to all traffic.

“We recognise that there are widely differing views on this issue and that some people may be disappointed that we feel it would be premature to make any changes at this time, but this is the right decision for today. We are however committed to a review to coincide with consideration of plans for the impending major change likely to come through North Whiteley development.”

“We will continue to work with Fareham Borough Council, Winchester City Council and the North Whiteley Consortium but it seems sensible to await the decision on the planning application for North Whiteley so that the impact of development here can be taken into account.”

The Committee of the Whiteley Community Association currently has several vacancies for trustees.
Examples of positions available include Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary or General Trustee.
All applicants for these voluntary positions must live in Whiteley and be prepared to attend meetings on a monthly basis. Some experience in the voluntary sector would be advantageous but is not essential. Please contact the Whiteley Community Centre on 01489 880041 or via our web site http://www.whiteley-community.co.uk for further details or to express your interest.

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