The Whiteley bus link opened on the 5th June 2008. The link, which has been beset with delays due to the builders, Persimmon Homes, taking an excessive time to construct it and correct defects, will be able to accommodate buses (school, public transport and local company), emergency vehicles and is available to provide safe access and egress in the event of any serious incident affecting other vehicular access to Whiteley. The road is controlled by rising bollards and CCTV cameras and only authorised vehicles with a transponder will be able to use it. A cycleway and footway has also been provided.
The link has a construction value of around £800,000 but actually cost Hampshire County Council £250,000. The land, fees and construction costs were borne by Persimmon Homes due to a legal agreement drawn up several years ago by Fareham Borough Council.
The link is capable of being used safely by all traffic in preparation for the day when the link will be open to all traffic.
Hampshire County Council in conjunction with Fareham Borough Council will be producing a Whiteley Access Plan which will be informed by a survey later this year. That survey will include data from the ongoing SATURN study which will include origin and destination surveys on motorists driving within and without Whiteley so that likely traffic flows from various road opening options can be considered. People responding to the survey will therefore be doing so from a position of knowledge as to what the likely impact of future highway decisions could be. Residents from Burridge, Park Gate and Swanwick will also be consulted along with Whiteley residents as any decisions taken regarding access to Whiteley would affect them also.
Local businesses have obtained authorisation from Hampshire County Council to use the Yew Tree Drive/Botley Road bus link to Swanwick.
Currently the following businesses and schools have applied for and received licences and transponder units to allow them access to the bus gate:
Zurich Insurance Company will be running 10 authorised Lucketts coaches.
Airlynx Ltd operating buses for NATS (National Air Traffic Services) have 8 buses authorised.
Locks Heath Day Care Trust have 2 authorised buses.
The Gregg School and St Winifred's School Trust have 1 authorised minibus.
The emergency services have been sent access cards and training DVDs to enable them to use the bus link.
The County Council will also be pleased to consider requests for licences from any public transport operator. Possibilities include buses chartered by parents or schools to take children to schools outside Whiteley. Expressions of interest from other businesses on Solent Business Park are also being followed up.
Last Updated on Thursday, 05 January 2012 13:44
