A WALKING group in Andover has helped to create a new place to safely cross the busy A303 after years of work. 

The new path, in Longparish, provides a safer alternative for pedestrians crossing or walking alongside the A303 – where an Andover teenager was struck and killed in 2016.

Andover Ramblers helped create the new path, seven years after it started discussions with the Hampshire County Council for the proposed footpath.

The path links footpath 28 with footpath 38 in Longparish, creating more circular walks and providing legal and safe access to famous landmarks such as Deadman's Plack.

Previously, walkers would have had to trespass, cross, or walk along the unprotected side of the dangerous road.

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The new path, located within a wood on National Highways (NH) land, is the result of a 3.5-year exercise that involved Andover MP Kit Malthouse, Hampshire County Council, and NH, culminating in an 18-page agreement.

Andover Ramblers footpath secretary David Clark said the group extends its gratitude to HCC's Andy Aitken and Michael Renouf and MP Kit Malthouse for their support.

Mr Clark said: "What was thought to be a simple exercise turned out to be 3.5 years of prompting NH to progress the agreement, involving our local MP, Kit Malthouse and well over 100 pieces of correspondence, coordinated by Andover Ramblers. The final agreement between HCC and NH is complex and runs to 18 pages."

The Andover Ramblers, led by Roger Shoulders, cleared the path of vegetation, erected waymarkers, and installed a handrail to help walkers ascend a bank.

Other members who took part in path clearance were David Clark, Tony Giblett, Mike Peacock, Ash Pocock, Richard Rippingale, Nick Sparks and Pat Williams.

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The Ordnance Survey has also agreed to add the permissive path to its maps.

The Ramblers are also collaborating with Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) to legally create new footpaths.

In 2019, TVBC began working on a list of ten suggested additions to the rights of way network, and one of them is in the final stages of approval.

The plan aims to avoid dangerous crossings over the A303 by connecting existing underpasses to an existing right of way.

The Ramblers hope that the new paths will make walking safer and provide new circular routes to allow walkers to enjoy the beautiful countryside around Andover.