At one edge of the ward, on the Peter Cooper roundabout, is a footbridge, which connects Wildern Lane to Shamblehurst Lane. This supplements a traffic island and new pedestrian crossing, installed at the end of 2011.
It is a safe way of crossing the road and provides some good views looking across Hedge End towards the Rose Bowl and beyond.
It has become an eyesore.
There is moss, lichen and algae on the steps.
So far as I am aware, this footbridge is not the responsibility of Hedge End Town Council, they are not entirely responsible for its poor state of maintenance. Its neglect.
But wouldn't it have been better if the Town Council had monitored the condition of the bridge, made sure that it received routine maintenance and took action before it got into this condition...?
Wouldn't you think the Town Council would be a little more concerned about such an eyesore in the middle of the Town...?
This matter was raised at the last full Council meeting, by Hedge End's one independent Councillor, Cllr Keith Day. The matter is now going to be taken up with Hampshire County Council.
Independent Town Councillors can help to get things done.
I'd like to hear from you if you are aware of any other problems like this. I'll certainly take them up for you.
Even if I'm not returned as a Town Councillor, I'm happy to raise these issues in full Council meetings, during the opening session where questions are taken from members of public.
Thank you for reading
Ray Turner
http://www.facebook.com/hedgeendindependents
3 comments:
Hi Ray, Whilst I agree with you that the footbridge could do with a lick of paint, and a good power wash by the looks of it, It's clearly operational and serves its purpose, providing it does not present any health & safety issues, I would be in favour of Hampshire County Council using the money elsewhere, for example filling in some of the potholes that seem to be appearing everywhere. I guess if you look hard enough around Hedge End you could throw lots of money at things just to keep on top of them, the proverbial "Forth Road Bridge" Maybe as part of your election campaign you could raise some money for paint and materials, and get an action group together to help carry out the work, your neighbours really good with a power washer and I'm ok with a paint brush, what do you think?
Hi Paul. I think Hampshire County Council take more than enough out of my meagre van drivers wages every year, to be able pay for the upkeep of infrastructure like this.
I know that "The Big Society idea" is one of the Conservatives flagship policies, but there are limits.
Interesting that you mention potholes. This was raised at the last full Council meeting when a member of the public raised the problem of potholed roads and broken paving in Hedge End Village Centre. The minutes record that HCC have been lobbied on numerous occasions about repairs, but nothing happens...
Ironically there is an example of Conservative Hampshire CC's efficiency and commitment to Hedge End just the other side of the roundabout from this footbridge.
The safety barrier along Charles Watts Way (B&Q side) has been damaged a few yards from the roundabout. The County's contractors put some plastic barriers around the damaged section, but they were soon tossed into the hedgerow where they have lain for weeks now. Nobody has come back to replace them, much less repair the damaged barrier.
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