Who are we?

As our constitution says;

“We are a small, but growing group of residents attempting to find a consensus on what can be done to address the increasing safety issues on the roads of Baughurst Parish�

Currently the group has 4-5 ‘Prime Movers’ mostly living along Baughurst Road and about 15 ‘Interested Persons/Supporters’ living along Baughusrt Road and other roads in the area.

Use the contact form to join as a ‘Prime Mover’ or to confirm your support as an ‘Interested Person’.

Ross & Nicky Addinall who live at the north end of Baughurst Road have recently confirmed as 'Prime Movers' - Ross says "Traffic speed and traffic volumes along Baughurst Road and other local rural roads are a real issue for my family"

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A sample of messages received:

Well done Gents for establishing this Group it’s just what we needed. Traffic speed and the volume of commercial vehicle are of great concern. I would like to see the 40mph limit extended from the Wellington Arms. As traffic passes through the Wellington Arms bend it is encouraged to race down the hill towards the junction at Violet Lane. There is a steady number of crashes in this location. The continuing road widening and erosion of the verges is a major issue. Traffic calming and speed reductions solution are an urgent necessity. People and animals lives are at great risk.

Pam King – Baughurst Road

Thank you so much for establishing this forum to present views to Hampshire Highways. Living on the Baughurst Road, we are especially concerned with the increasing road width generally, and outside our house, as well as, and the speed with which much of the traffic passes by. As you may know there was a serious accidient on the Baughurst Road in the autumn.

The speed limit between the Wellington Arms and Wolverton is unsafe. Seeing cars inching forward out into the Baughurst Road from Violet Lane and Church Road, and having to do it personally every day, is extremely dangerous. This is especially the case, for walkers, riders and those accompanying children.

The 40 limit clearly needs extending. The restoring of the original Road width will also act act cost effective, visually neutral trafic calming, as well as in keeping with Hampshire Highways stated Road width policy.

Bushell family, Baughurst Road

Graham & Philip Baughurst:Traffic Matters is a great forum. As a regular horse rider locally I support your campaign and any action which encourages drivers to travel at a reasonable speed is welcome. Some drivers just believe that they have a
right-of-way and horse riding is just a nuisance, they forget that horses came before cars!!

As you rightly say, 'we all share the road and should have respect for each other'. I accept that cars do travel faster on
A-roads/main routes, therefore I would always try to avoid such routes with my horses and likewise drivers should expect to find walkers, runners, cyclists and horse riders on rural roads.

Sophie Kimber - Wolverton Road

Thanks for the copies of your letters to HCC; I am certainly concerned about the disappearing verge outside my home and the many other issues of traffic using Baughurst Road.

Vanessa Hurran - Baughurst Road

You have my full support and I am pleased that you are working hard on behalf of the community. Verge erosion and the traffic issues mentioned are of concern to us. Keep up the good work.

Angela Harris, Baughurst Road

Thanks for informing me about your campaign and of course I support the initiatives of Baughurst:Traffic Matters, I trust the Parish Council and Baughurst Society are fully involved?

Michael Walford- Pound Green

I'm pleased to support the Baughurst:Traffic Matters group; I was born in the Parish during 19xx and for over 50 years have lived at the farm which my parents originally operated. We have seen much change to the shape of our
local roads.

Disappearing verges have an effect on traffic speed, road safety and wildlife habitats, not forgetting to mention rural character. The size and frequency of some of the commercial vehicles now using our lanes is also of concern.

Richard Kimber -Axmansford

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equine traffic

Dear Sophie,

Further to your comment I can say that having lived in several north Hampshire villages, and known many more, I have never seen horse riders having to wear so much high visibility equipment; it is quite frankly unbelievable.

I can only deduce that it is due to the unsafe speed as well as unsafe type (HGV) of vehicles using the roads, that has forced riders to don so much bright yellow.

You have my sincere understanding and sympathy; and trust that Hampshire Highways will act to make Baughurst's Lanes safer for all users.

Bushell family, Baughurst Road

Rural Roads for Rural People

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.

Over the past few years I have seen the traffic along the Baughurst Road dramatically increase, especially after the re-surfacing/improvement of the A340 (Tadley to Basingstoke). The diversions setup seem to reveal a new "rat run" that people living in Basingstoke, Newbury, Tadley and surrounding areas could exploit. Our rural road infrastructure just cannot handle the increased load, size and speed of vehicles that now seem to frequent it.