At Winchester station, Railway Authorities have created two double storey car parks with poor pedestrian access through them, and last week a crowd of us met at the west side of the station to protest at the ridiculous design of the footway. I walked through with Keith Hatter, a campaigner who uses a white stick as his only guide and we collided into cars, fell into dropped surfaces and met up with barriers. We met with Bill Marshall, the station manager and explained that however many ‘disability awareness’ events they hold for people like Keith and Jon (from RNIB-in the picture), failing to get it right in new development was unforgiveable.
There is a ‘myth’ that Railway operators do not need planning permission, so can do what they like, but the truth is, any good local council worth its salt will be in constant discussion with developers to seek sustainable plans that work for everyone. It is ironic that in a year where WCC’s cabinet are promoting ‘Feet First’ that this project has been completed without that simple aim in mind!
——

It is a fact that SW Trains have been warned of the parking restrictions around stations in the district, they have not responded except in central Winchester. Most people walk to Winchester to catch the train, but without rural bus services, most people drive to the stations outside Winchester, so parking is essential.

The battle between commuters and residents has been played out on the roads at Micheldever Station for several years and now the battle lines are drawn again in the Committee room as WCC decide whether to impose parking restrictions which villages need and commuters do not want.

I am supporting the Residents above the commuters on this occasion.
I know it is difficult for commuters, and as an ex commuter for a decade, I am very sympathetic, but if restrictions have been put in place in residential roads around the station in Winchester, then why is it different in Micheldever?
Winchester City Council has been drawing up plans for this TRO for over three years. I have walked round the village (about two years ago when the TRO was first mooted) with Phil Dominey (SW Trains) and raised the issue with the City and County Councils, but still no additional parking has been created since the service was improved.
There is space. The car park installation at Winchester show it can be done quickly. There is a solution, but it isn’t allowing commuters to park in narrow roads stopping bin lorries, preventing cesspits being emptied, and blocking drives, sometimes parked there for days whilst divers stay ‘in town’.

The commuters’ battle should be with SW Trains and Winchester City Council bosses who have failed to work with SW Trains on a solution – not the villagers who are struggling with the parking issues that arise.

   Leave a comment