Pave The Way (The Final)

Google maps

It is with great delight and gusto that I report that Eastleigh Borough Council have seen the light, engaged some common sense and have finally repaired a set of steps that could have caused injury, within only weeks of being notified. A triumph for the pedestrian users of the once unsafe and bedraggled path blighting their shopping area. But lets just save the victory dance for a while whilst we analyse what has been achieved.

As you may or may not know, I decided to track the progress of a report of a crumbling stairway in the public domain, So I set about this journey using the official routes and directions, It soon became apparent that ownership of this piece of land was in some kind of legal limbo, and EBC were refusing to repair it regardless of their duty of care, which they also disputed.

A battle of words ensued with various people of varying status within the halls of power, all of whom would impress upon me their unwillingness to provide their parishioners with adequate footings, other than a vain attempt to exclude the area with barriers. I did however manage to become somewhat of an irritant, perhaps only outdone by a well known laxative chocolate, and caused slight discomfort among our peers in a position of power that we gave them.

You must understand that I am fully aware that I was not the only person on this trail for clarity and safety, so I will not take all credit for a well produced result for local inhabitants, but I will reiterate that the powers to be had great reluctance in acting upon it, also my belief is that in the meantime an injury was sustained at this spot, which may have prompted action sooner than it would have.

So safe in the knowledge that the people of Hamble are once again safe from suffering, I will fall back into the shadows until stirred again and say my farewells to all my new friends like Mr Bright of the EBC.

For the full in depth story, scroll down and start from the beginning.

 

Borough Score Again

After approving the building of a 37 three storey complex for the retirement housing firm McCarthy and Stone, Eastleigh borough council have surpassed stupidity. It has come to our attention that planning permission has been refused for an extension to the house next door to this imminent landmark on the basis that it would impose on their original neighbours, whose house incidentally has been demolished to make room for the luxury apartments.

So the caring council will allow the development of an area that was previously the size of a 5 bed house and car park to become a home for potentially 64 people to reside, yet a bigger kitchen and bathroom for a family of four is unacceptable.

It has also been reported that a verbal agreement with the building firm and the resident, who can look forward to months of disruption, has been broken by the company, agreed placements have been removed. This has led to a breakdown in trust and the home owner has vowed to continue his plans to use an area that will be overlooked for purposes to the detriment of the new flat owners. Committed to staying with-in the law, the owner of the property has hinted that he will become a less than perfect neighbour.

Once built the housing will actually have a minimal effect on the already well used road, although, while building commences it really will be a “No Go Zone”, and it is very much hoped that the local shopping area has it’s promenade pavement improved before the elderly “cash cows” take a tumble in the exact precinct that councillors are refusing to repair.