Winchester Road footway in Andover to be resurfaced

The western side of Winchester Road between Croft Avenue and Humberstone Road will be widened and resurfaced by Hampshire County Council, in partnership with Test Valley Borough Council.

The works are scheduled to start on Monday, October 4, and will go until Friday, December 17.

According to TVBC leader Cllr Phil North, the current footpath is an average of 1.2 metres wide, which will be widened to 1.8 metres.

However, the decision to prioritise the stretch between Croft Avenue and Humberstone Road has come as a surprise to many residents who believe the footpath between Humberstone Road and Sarum House should have been widened first.

According to some residents, Humberstone Road to Sarum House is the footpath mostly used by parents taking their children to Anton County Junior School.

But there are places on this footway where the width is reportedly as less as 950mm.

The width on Humberstone Road-Sarum House footway is 950mm at some areas.

Cllr North said he did not receive a detailed answer on why HCC chose Croft Avenue to Humberstone Road over Humberstone Road to Sarum House.

“I know highways engineers are concerned about how close vehicles get to the kerb line when approaching the bend in the road between Croft Avenue and Humberstone Road,” he said. “That’s not to say there isn’t an issue further down the road.”

He continued: “It is my opinion though that perfect shouldn’t be the enemy of the good. If highway engineers have found a solution to the Croft Avenue-Humberstone section of the road then then that’s a good start.

“If that is proven to make an impact and can be implemented without widespread disruption, then it may be that we can push for a further scheme later. Subject to feasibility and the agreement of residents.”

Cllr North added that property owners affected by the works have been extensively engaged, with frequent correspondence and site visits – and all have agreed for the works to go-ahead.

“My predecessor, Martin Boiles, also gave his agreement for the proposal. So, although I can’t take any credit for the scheme and haven’t been involved in its design, now I have become the County Councillor for this area I feel it is incumbent on me to ask questions and provide as much detail as possible for local residents.”

Andover councillor Richard Rowles expressed his dismay at the priority of road chosen for the works.

Speaking to the Advertiser, Cllr Rowles said: “What I’m most angry about is the fact that the footpaths that are being used by parents who take their children to school is not being prioritised.

"The quality of the footpath that they use is very poor. It is not fit for the purpose of a footpath. But that’s not the patch they are redoing.”

Humberstone Road-Sarum House footpath