Day: August 31, 2023

Jon I Empathise


https://app.portsmouth.co.uk/full_page_image/page-12-1863/content.html

Jon Cole, I empathise with you and your experience. I, too, live in an area plagued by these motoring miscreants.

And also, wish the police and local authorities would focus more time on these “law breakers.” For law breakers, they are, with their modified engines and exhaust systems which are exceeding the noise limits of the original manufacturers specifications.

As to their manner of driving, be it excess acceleration or drifting local roundabouts and motorway slip roads to the point their tyres are screeching, they must be breaking numerous laws. Just by ear, I can tell that they are probably speeding and driving in an unsafe manner.

The police know the popular routes and would only need to make their presence known regularly to make an impression.

So come on, let’s see some action.

Welborne Preparations Get Underway


https://app.portsmouth.co.uk/full_page_image/page-11-1865/content.html

Preparatory works are getting underway to provide the necessary road junctions to support Welborne Garden Village.

And so begin the many months of road chaos that these works are guaranteed bring. The reference article details dates and times of road closures and diversions.

We have only just seen the end of the M27 “Smart Motorway” conversion work, which in itself created months of holdups, especially at peak times.

I am so glad that being retired means I no longer have the daily commute, which would have been impacted by this new round of works.

Perfect Power


https://app.portsmouth.co.uk/full_page_image/page-11-1858/content.html

It wasn’t so long ago that the UK government was floating the idea of taxing businesses for the parking spaces provided for their employees. This would also have been applied to supermarkets and other commercial premises.

This seems to be a much better use of the land. Being beneficial to all and taking some of the load of our energy producers.

Seems to me a close look should be taken at the “Havant Hypermarket” site, aka ASDA Supercentre. Another prime contender for power generation.

Too Little, Too Late


I am pleased to see that finally the council is doing something positive about the dire state of Waterlooville centre. But, I fear it is too little, too late.

I also believe the council is being, somewhat, disingenuous, blaming the pandemic for the current state of Waterlooville Town centre.

Waterlooville has been slowly decomposing since the main road was diverted, and the centre was pedestrianised.

Yes, the pandemic has not helped, and yes, the current economic difficulties are compounding the issues. Long before the pandemic, traders were complaining about the cost of leasing the shop units. Costs that due to falling footfall they could not afford to renew.

I would like to know what the council is doing to mitigate the high tenancy costs.

The Havant Borough Council planning authorities have been gung ho on taking business away from the town centre. Following the out-off town shopping model that they have also applied to Havant itself. Both Havant and Waterlooville have been subdivided. Large stores on one side of the highway whilst the smaller shops left in town struggle to keep going.

Making monies available to assist potential businesses to get a foothold will be a fruitless exercise without custom.

The recent change of car parking charges will help, but again, I fear it is too late. Especially now that Wilkos has gone bust.

Yes, you can now park for up to three hours but Wilkos was prime reason for many folks to park there.

Havant Borough Council, you need to do more.