The survey of residents and businesses either side of the controversial Whiteley bus gate over a possible six-month trial opening of the route has started.
Whiteley bus gate survey has begun
The questionnaires have been sent out by Hampshire County Council to residents and businesses in Whiteley, Burridge, Swanwick and Park Gate seeking their views on the proposal for the Yew Tree Drive route.
People have until February 10 to get their surveys completed – either on paper or online using a unique code.
Hampshire County Councillor Seán Woodward, who represents the Sarisbury Division which includes most of the residents of Whiteley as well as those of Park Gate, Burridge and Swanwick, said: “It is most important that residents and businesses let us have their views.
“The reason I have asked for this consultation to be carried out is because the Fareham local plan is currently being reviewed. It contains a policy prohibiting links for general traffic between Botley Road and Whiteley until Whiteley Way is complete.
“That policy was written at a time when it was expected that the completion of Whiteley Way was near. Sadly that completion did not happen and could still be a number of years away.”
Fareham Borough Council required developers to provide the Yew Tree Drive to Botley Road bus gate in May 2008 so that the link would be ready for when it was eventually opened to traffic and would not need funding to be found for the road to be made ready.
Cllr Woodward, who is also leader of Fareham Borough Council, added: “I strongly believe that if there is to be a trial it is essential that mitigation measures such as traffic calming, speed limits, pedestrian crossings, HGV bans, and so on are put in place before rather than during or after the trial starts.”
If the survey shows residents and businesses are in favour of the trial going ahead from June to November there will need to be a planning application submitted by Hampshire County Council to Fareham Borough Council.
Further information on the conduct of the survey can be found at www3.hants.gov.uk/whiteley