Transport Working Group

Binsted’s Transport Working Group (TWG) comprises councillor and non-councillor volunteers, with the remit to:

1. identify – and consult with residents and relevant authorities on – traffic issues, including road traffic and safety, noise from roads and aircraft, and low-carbon transport;
2. manage the operation of BPC’s three speed reduction initiatives (described below), including oversight of speed watch volunteers; and
3. recommend to BPC actions and investments to address traffic issues.

Three speed reduction initiatives are active in the parish: Speed Indicator Devices, Average Speed Watch cameras and Community Speed Watch:

1. Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs): Vehicle-activated SIDs are rotated around ten locations across the parish (shown on Map A). The flashing signs remind drivers to observe the speed limits and collect data on traffic volumes and the speeds of all passing vehicles. SIDs do not record registration numbers or take photos of vehicles.
2. Average Speed Watch cameras (ASW cameras) are sited at three fixed locations which have been approved by Hampshire Constabulary and Hampshire County Council, with whom the Parish Council has an Operating Agreement. ASW cameras take pictures of numberplates of all passing vehicles that are exceeding the speed limit. They do not capture a picture of the driver. A link to the DVLA provides details of vehicle make and colour to enable the Vehicle Registration Number (VRN) to be correctly verified. The DVLA link also identifies whether vehicles caught speeding on ASW cameras have valid tax and MOT. Once images have been verified by Binsted’s TWG team, a report of highest speeds and persistent speeders is sent to Hampshire Constabulary. The Police cannot prosecute (issue points or fines) based on ASW evidence alone but can issue warning letters and take action against other vehicle offences and repeated speeders. ​​​​​EHDC is developing a policy using ASW cameras across the district to target persistent speeders as they move around the East Hampshire district, but this is not yet operational.

BPC’s ASW Cameras policy (https://binstedparishcouncil.org.uk/parish-council/policies-legislation) details how ASW data is collected and used.

3. Community Speed Watch (CSW): The parish has two teams of CSW volunteers – one focused on Binsted village, and one covering Blacknest and Frith End, as part of the Hampshire Constabulary’s CSW initiative. The CSW volunteers use a police-approved radar gun to collect data from one hour speed watch sessions. Number plates of speeding vehicles are passed to Hampshire Constabulary, which sends drivers follow-up letters. Research shows that a simple letter noting that a vehicle has been caught speeding significantly reduces future offending. CSW volunteers also count the numbers of vehicles that pass their location in the hour, to generate data for speed reduction initiatives.

New CSW volunteers are always welcome – either to supplement existing teams in Binsted village and Frith End/Blacknest, or to form a new team in Bucks Horn Oak /Rowledge/Holt Pound. If this interests you, please contact Mike Mordecai (Parish Clerk) on clerk@binstedparishcouncil.org.uk or 07483 310631 for more information.

Binsted TWG’s other traffic initiatives in the parish include:

• project with Hampshire Highways to implement a traffic calming scheme in Frith End and Blacknest, using s106 funds established for this purpose by 2012’s Whitehill and Bordon Traffic Strategy.
• collaboration with Binsted and Rowledge primary schools on initiatives to improve road safety for their pupils and their families. As part of this, the TWG is exploring with Hampshire Highways whether a 20 mph speed limit could be introduced in School Road Rowledge. (This was excluded from the earlier introduction of 20mph limits in the rest of Rowledge because it lies in Hampshire rather than in Surrey, but Hampshire Highways now has a new policy (here) that permits 20mph speed limits on certain roads);
• continuing to lobby for: safety improvements for the A325 Shipwrights’ Way crossing; the restitution of verges damaged by SSEN’s recent B3004 diversions; the rectification of damage to road signs and carriageways across the parish; and other initiatives.
• continuing to lobby for safer cycling routes in the local area, including through consultations about planned investments in Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure (LCWIP). The Parish Council committed, through its Climate Action Plan, to encourage low-carbon transport in the parish, and supports the Alton Cycling Charter for improved cycling safety and infrastructure in and around Alton. (link: Cycle Alton | Alton Climate Action Network (altonclimatenetwork.org.uk)]