PATHS across the site of the Kings Barton development are unsafe for walkers and cyclists and too many lead to nowhere, a meeting heard.

Parent Lucy Taylor told the Kings Barton Forum last night (Tuesday) of the problems using paths to and from the estate's new school.

She said: "I'm a parent at Barton Farm school. The paths to school are a real problem. We live in Abbotts Barton and we walk or cycle.

"We were excited when we heard the path was opening, but it is not navigable on a bike with children. One children fell off and cut a knee quite badly. Another got a puncture. I can't ride my bike up there, it's dangerous."

READ ALSO: Footpaths at Kings Barton are dangerous

Ms Taylor said the path from Andover Road to the school along the Ridgeway was also impossible to use for bikes and buggies.

Some paths have been well surfaced but several are not. "If you build the infrastructure there is a need to connect it. It is bonkers. You have got some beautifully paved parts but not connected to anything. It's total madness."

The forum chairman, city councillor Steve Cramoysan agreed it was "totally bonkers".

Cllr Jane Rutter concurred: "I support Lucy Taylor. The paths are uncomfortable to walk but impossible to cycle, on the rubbly ones. The contrast with the tarmacked ones is ridiculous. The number of paths that go nowhere is insane. We need the paths connected."

Ian Curry, technical director at Cala Homes, which is building the 2,000-home development, said several paths were temporary but had been laid because local residents asked for more direct paths before permanent ones could be laid. Cala would look to check if paths are dangerous.

Public consultations are due soon on Cala's plans for the community centre at the neighbourhood centre in the centre of Kings Barton.

Alison Thompson, of Cala, told the forum that consultation would be before the next Kings Barton Forum in October.

Cllr Jane Rutter said local people should be able to influence the design, "at a stage when we can move walls."

SEE ALSO: Campaign stepped up to prevent diversion of main road through Kings Barton

The forum also heard from Mike Slinn, chairman of the Kings Barton Residents Association, that the need for a new playing field for Henry Beaufort school had been removed and the land will be used for other purposes.

Meanwhile, the meeting was told that the county council has yet to agree the design standards for Winchester Avenue, the main road through the development which is due to take through traffic when Andover Road is closed, at a future date dependent on the speed of house occupancy.

Mr Curry said he was hopeful standards can be agreed in two to three months. It was unclear what the sticking point is, but Mr Curry added: "It (the forum) is a difficult arena to speak openly. Possibly it is resourcing at Hampshire County Council might be a challenge which does not allow things to happen as quickly as we would like them to."

Work on the pelican crossing on Andover Road is due to start on August 2 with a time estimate of 13-14 weeks and a completion date in November.

 

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