GRIDLOCK

OR

AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN?

We are working with the owners of the adjacent field on plans to use it for parking - to provide sufficient space for the safe delivery and collection of children and clear the hazardous congestion in neighbouring streets and the main Havant Road.

Governors also wish to work with local residents and other interested parties to find the best solution and to that end arranged an Open Meeting on Wednesday 9 May 2007 at Mill Rythe Infant School at 7.30 pm.

The meeting was opened by Mrs Patricia Lock, Head of Mill Rythe Infant School, who introduced Paul Chapman, Chair of Governors, Mrs Jenny Queripel, Head of Mill Rythe Junior School, Roger Croft and DI John Geden, MRIS Governors, and welcomed County Councillor Ted Gale, local residents and others present who included Sgt Steve Pratley, Paul Fisher (HIRA) and Julian Clokie (Bosmere 100).

Paul gave us a little historical background.  When Mill Rythe school was built some 140 years ago it was placed in a central position on the island.  However, this site is now on the northern fringe of the main development of the island, whereas Mengham Schools built much more recently occupy a more central position.  Thus the Mill Rythe Schools tend to attract most children from the extremes of the island, some of whom live up to three miles away.

We are faced with a paradox - wherever we as adults go we expect to have a parking space provided for us, whether it be to work, to shop or to catch a train, yet the most vulnerable ie children are expected to walk or cycle!  Incidentally, the Road Safety Team at Hampshire County Council "do not recommend that children under 10 cycle to school".

Whatever the reasons are - and parents normally have the safety of their children uppermost in their minds - and regardless of whatever green policies the government wishes to impose upon us, we have to face the reality that parents do drive their children to school and will continue to do so.  Our statistics show that only 12% walk to Mill Rythe Infant School and 1% cycle, the remainder come by car or bus.

This problem is not going to go away by itself, indeed we have been monitoring this situation and trying to find a solution for many years now, but we have now reached the critical point of an accident waiting to happen.

DI John Geden addressed the meeting not only from the police perspective but also as a governor, parent with children in both Mill Rythe Schools and local resident.  He highlighted the traffic hazards to which most of us nodded our heads in agreement, but also gave a very poignant account of how he, as the investigating officer, personally had had to deal with an accident at a school near Winchester where a 6 year old had been killed by a reversing minibus. He could not stress enough that children and cars do not mix! 

CCllr Ted Gale spent a rather damp hour with me monitoring the traffic that morning.  It was expected that probably the maximum number of cars would access the site because of the rain, although we tend to find that the traffic actually flows better in this situation when children go directly to class rather than meet in the playground.  There was no doubt in Cllr Gale's mind that the situation is far worse than when he reviewed it four years ago and it was a matter of extreme concern back then! 

Our Proposal

Hayling Island Builders Limited are willing to construct at their expense a car park for 66, maybe 80, cars at the western end of the triangle of land between Mill Rythe Infant School and the access road to the Mill Rythe Holiday Village - covering approximately two thirds of an acre. In order to visualise the size, imagine the furthest edge, or eastern side, almost level (or just slightly beyond) the main front edge of the infant school building.  A pedestrian bridge would be provided over the stream at the eastern end for access into the school.   HIBL would eventually recover their costs by leasing this site back to the schools over twenty or so years.

Usually the term "car park" immediately conjurs up visions of tarmac, paint and metal barriers!  Certainly our vision is more in keeping with the local environment - we would wish to retain, and if possible enhance, hedgerows and trees and the natural wildlife habitat - but of course actual materials used would depend upon land surveys at a later stage.  They do it very effectively in the New Forest.  And as a by product of this, perhaps the grass verges in the surrounding areas will recover to a green state.

The Obstacles to Overcome

The ground itself is of poor agricultural quality but the field in question is C1 countryside and also flood plain.  We would have to have the endorsement of the Chichester Harbour Board and the Environment Agency.  We also need to revisit our School Travel Plan drawn up in 2002 - (is it really five years old already!) - to confirm that this really is the only solution.  The list goes on.  Oh, and we need to finance the lease so this puts extra pressure on the need for fund-raising!

It is important to us to be able to have honest and open dialogue with those most affected by our proposals.  In our opinion child safety overrides all but we wish to work with our neighbours to find the best solution, even if it is not perfect for everyone.  We have a "first draft" plan available to view but already modifications are in mind as a result of our discussions. 

All viewpoints are welcome and you may contact us via e-mail.  Watch this space to follow our progress!

Report by Anna Dollery

Vice-Chair Mill Rythe Infant School Governors, 10 May 2007

(This report does not constitute actual minutes of the meeting.)

Herewith a selection of questions and comments raised at the meeting:

Why can’t the schools use some of their own land for a car park, especially the field at the back of the junior school?

A.  It’s County land, and County definitely will not allow provision of parking spaces for parents!  The current provision for new build education establishments is only 1.5 spaces per classroom, and this is not enough for staff let alone parents!  Even if County granted us permission, we would be bringing more cars onto the site whereas our aim is to remove all cars from the site.

There are plenty of parking spaces in the neighbouring streets.

A. There may well be some quieter areas but other neighbours will disagree as they suffer day after day.  It’s human nature, once you have found a space – even a bad one – you take it rather than taking the chance of finding somewhere better but perhaps further away from your destination, or risking no space at all.

What’s to stop people parking on the pavements and verges like they do now?

A. We trust that the police and local council will back us by enforcing a “zero tolerance” policy once the car park is operational.

But won’t building a car park mean that even more people will drive their kids to school?

A. We have conducted a poll to find out how children travel to school and also conducted traffic counts outside school.  Given that 83% already come by car we feel that provision of extra parking will not make much difference. 

So, basically, you are opening the door for housing development in this area?

A. No, the ground itself is of poor agricultural quality but the field in question is C1 countryside and also flood plain. 

I don’t want to look out on an acre of tarmac!

A. Nor do we!  We would have to wait for land surveys etc before deciding what exactly we could use and of course, should we be granted the necessary planning permission, there will no doubt be strict requirements imposed there.  The environment and wildlife is very important to us.

Why can’t you use the field north of the school?

A. The owner hasn’t offered!  Besides it is good agricultural land being farmed.

Any idea of the timescale for all this?

A.  We have already hinted at the obstacles we have to overcome before there is any hope of being granted planning permission.  Add to this the fact that the land in question is very wet and it is only viable to work on it between May and September.  So summer 2008 is our earliest projected date.

Minutes of the Open Meeting held on 09/05/07

Plan (first draft May 07)

Press Release April 07

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