In 2014, Hampshire County Council (HCC) Highways indicated that due to the number of SHLAA sites and the combined effects these developments might have on the A31 and the junctions of Boyneswood Road and Lymington Bottom Road, an EIA should be requested. Despite this recommendation, no EIA has been conducted in the village to date.
Bottle Neck Roads
Railway Crossings: The primary access routes from Medstead to the A31 include two bottleneck roads, one under and one over the railway track. These bottlenecks only allow one direction of traffic at a time, significantly restricting traffic flow and creating congestion.
Traffic Flow: The restricted traffic flow at these bottlenecks will be exacerbated by additional development, leading to increased delays and potential safety hazards.
A31 Traffic Volume
Busy Road: The A31 is already a very busy road, handling substantial traffic volumes daily. Adding more vehicles from new developments without proper infrastructure improvements will worsen traffic conditions.
Safety Concerns: Increased traffic congestion can lead to higher risks of accidents, posing a danger to both local residents and commuters.
Infrastructure Modernisation
Cost Inefficiency: Modernising the bottleneck junctions to support further development would not be cost-effective. The financial burden of such extensive upgrades would likely outweigh the benefits, considering the scale and impact required.
Village Impact: The execution of modernisation efforts would significantly disrupt the village. Construction activities would lead to increased noise, dust, and temporary road closures, negatively affecting the quality of life for residents.
In conclusion, I strongly urge the planning authorities to reject the current application. The significant unresolved traffic issues and the lack of a comprehensive EIA highlight the unfeasibility of further development in Medstead at this time. Ensuring that the infrastructure can support additional traffic without compromising safety and quality of life for residents is paramount. The historical context provided by HCC Highways’ 2014 indication underscores the necessity of this assessment.
Permitting this development without addressing these critical issues would not only be imprudent but also potentially harmful to the community. Therefore, I request that this planning application be denied until a thorough and comprehensive EIA is conducted and adequate infrastructure improvements are planned and implemented.
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