Putting pedestrians first
Alresford’s pedestrians will soon be feeling a whole lot safer, thanks to a project led by their enterprising Town Partnership.
On Monday 29 June, work started at Perins School in Alresford to create a brand new, public car park off Jacklyns Lane.
Once it is completed, a footpath will be established across the school field to the town centre, and a new pedestrian crossing point across The Avenue will be constructed. It is hoped that the bulk of the project will be completed by the end of the school summer holiday period.
The work is being carried out by Graham Moyse Contractors Ltd, and is scheduled to take approximately 12 weeks, weather permitting. The car park and footway both include new street lighting, and the car park and surrounding area will be landscaped with new planting.
The work is part of the Putting Pedestrians First project being led by Alresford Town Partnership. It is the result of collaboration by several bodies, including Winchester City Council. The long-term car park will reduce car movements in the town centre, and free up the short-term parking spaces for shoppers and visitors. The footpath across the school playing fields will link the town centre up with the residential area to the south west of the school in order to further reduce car journeys into the town centre.
Dr Nigel Paterson, Chair of Alresford Town Partnership, is delighted that the work has begun. He said:
“I must thank those who have been such willing partners. We are most grateful to Perins School, Winchester City Council, Hampshire County Council, New Alresford Town Trust, New Alresford Town Council, The Alresford Society, the Alresford Chamber of Commerce, Bighton Parish Council, the Watercress Line and, not least, SEEDA.”
The partners – all of whom are helping to fund the project - have benefited from a grant from the South East England Development Agency’s Small Rural Towns Fund, and from contributions by local property developers.