A petition has been launched on the ‘Number 10 website’ calling for reduced speeds on narrow country lanes across the UK.

Many local road users especially those that use the Parish for recreational purposes are concerned how unsafe our rural lanes are becoming. Continual restrictions and traffic volumes along some of the major routes through the area are forcing motorist to seek-out alternative routes. And these alternative routes are our country lanes, which incidentally, have fewer restrictions, less statutory speed restrictions and fewer pavements than the main routes.

Dear Baughurst Traffic Matters:
Being a Special Constable (and the occasional horse rider) I fully appreciate the safety concerns and the dangers associated with rural roads. Too many times have I been passed whilst on horse back by vehicles travelling in an inappropriate manner for the roads in our community. Two years ago it would have been a rare occasion to meet a HGV whilst riding around this area, only last month did I have to contend with three in a row! Some motorists seem oblivious to people on horses, let alone pedestrians walking.

If I wanted to extend the residential curtlage of my property, would I have to apply for planning permission? Of course I would. And quite rightly too. Planning applications give an opportunity for interested parties to express any concerns and for the applicant to consider the impact of the application may have on their neighbours.

What would be the likelyhood of success when applying to extend my boundary into the countryside? I'd hazard a guess it would be less than zero. Not a chance.

So why do Hampshire Highways have, what appears to be, free reign to extend the boundaries of the roads? Without planning permission. Without consultation. Without any assesment of the impact on the environment. Without any consideration for the safety of residents.

Some people have asked what a 'Countryside Kerb' is.

Different manufacturers will give different names to the products they produce; generally the term 'countryside kerb' is used to describe a roadside kerb that is more in keeping with a rural setting than a general smooth concrete kerb used in urban locations.

The most recent letter sent by Baughurst: Traffic Matters to Hampshire Highways was authored with significant input from half a dozen or more Baughurst residents. Writing letters in this way takes somewhat longer than rattling off a few sentences, but adds significant value because a number of different views can be expressed.

Discussions about traffic matters in the village frequently provoke passionate debate. I have not met anyone who does not have a strong opinion about something to do with the state of our roads and/or what should be done about them. Often there are opposing views about how to address the issues, but there is one concern that is shared: