Quiet country lane or commuter rat run? (From Daily Echo)
When news happens, text SDE and your photos or videos to 80360. Or contact us by email and phone.
Hampshire County Council to shut off road where leader Ken Thornber lives in Sway
12:55pm Thursday 23rd August 2012 in New Forest
By Patrick Knox, Senior Reporter
Back Lane, Sway
WITH just 30 cars passing through every hour, it hardly ranks as one of Hampshire’s traffic plagued roads.
But now Back Lane in the New Forest village of Sway is to be controversially shut for six months to investigate whether or not it could be sealed off forever.
If council bosses go ahead with permanent closure, the lane would be returned to forest from the junction of Pitmore Road to just above the edge of the village.
Homes such as one owned by Hampshire County Council leader Ken Thornber would then enjoy the tranquillity of a cul-de-sac.
Just last week county council workers were dispatched to opposite Cllr Thornber’s home to replace fencing aimed at keeping out wandering wild ponies with more solid wooden ranch style versions.
But residents are furious because they were never consulted about the closure plan.
And today county council opposition leader Councillor Keith House is calling for a full inquiry into the reasons behind the closure. He said: “Eyebrows will be rightly raised that this quiet little country lane has seen so much attention from hard-pressed county environment staff when residents worried about busy A and B roads have to fight hard to get safety issues raised.
“Is this really Hampshire’s top priority in the New Forest?
He added: “It is good to see the Daily Echo joining local residents and questioning county bosses.”
A petition against the trial closure launched last week has already attracted more than 100 names, with villagers angry at not being consulted about the closure and baffled why an important but hardly heaving through route faces closure.
A Daily Echo investigation found on average just one car passed through the lane every two minutes.
Petition organiser and former parish councillor Ann Dew, who lives in nearby Pitmore Lane, said: “It is unnecessary and a waste of public money. There is a lot of feeling about it in the village.”
Some Back Lane residents support the trial because they believe it has become a rat run.
Hilary Orchard, from Tops Cottage, said: “The traffic volume has increased a lot. People come down at a rate of knots. I have had my car bashed when people have come right up against me.”
But others are shocked at the decision. Pauline Nineham, from Back Lane, said: “We have not been asked whether it is a good idea.”
Brenda Turner, 84, who has lived in Back Lane for 40 years, said there were no traffic problems and added: “I think it is disgusting.
It is a road and has been a road in all the years I have known it.
It is completely unnecessary and should not be shut off.”
New Forest Council leader Councillor Barry Rickman, who has lived all his life in Sway, said: “I am very surprised by this. I don’t think that Back Lane is broken so why fix it?”
Cllr Thornber, who last year revealed he was verbally abused by a group of cyclists outside his house, was unavailable for comment.
However, a council spokesman distanced Cllr Thornber from the decision, claiming he had no prior knowledge of the road closure trial, costing £3000, or the fencing, despite being outside his home.
She said: “As such, members would not be involved in these operational decisions.
“The proposal is based on environmental reasons, and would support the National Park agenda by focusing traffic on the main routes.”
“Work will now take place to consult with the Verderers, New Forest Park Authority, Forestry Commission and Natural England.”
Once they have agreed about the plans, residents would be “informed”, she added.
Comments(29)
Honesty is best.
says...
1:26pm Thu 23 Aug 12
It IS A RAT RUN, drivers do drive far to fast and on top of this you also get HGV's using it.
Why do the Echo seem hell bent on writing about the leader when it has little do with him. As for a woman that has lived there for 40 years, of course there was the same amount of traffic 40 years ago as there is today !! what total rubbish, does she ever go out ?? Report on something interesting daily echo, like the amount of speeding cars that kill ponies rather the closing of a road that ponies ARE KILLED IN..WHICH IS FACT.
legod7
says...
1:34pm Thu 23 Aug 12
HE told HCC to sort it out and they have done it.
moulefanggoule
says...
1:52pm Thu 23 Aug 12
eurogordi
says...
2:04pm Thu 23 Aug 12
I seem to recall a year or so ago that Thornber was behind getting high speed internet connections to remote forest areas including Sway.
Talk about feathering his own nest!
If I did that (as an employee of Hampshire County Council) I would be disciplined and face possible dismissal for gross misconduct.
Why should that apply to staff employed by the county, but not the councillors in charge of the county who regularly are the topic of stories such as this?
nedscrumpo
says...
2:17pm Thu 23 Aug 12
Honesty is best. wrote:Abuse of power is a justified story and the echo frequently report on new forest pony deaths. Pity the council don't focus their time on city rat runs where children are knocked down.
Firstly, when did the Echo carry out the investigation ? how long did they spend there, an hour or two while taking the photo's !!
It IS A RAT RUN, drivers do drive far to fast and on top of this you also get HGV's using it.
Why do the Echo seem hell bent on writing about the leader when it has little do with him. As for a woman that has lived there for 40 years, of course there was the same amount of traffic 40 years ago as there is today !! what total rubbish, does she ever go out ?? Report on something interesting daily echo, like the amount of speeding cars that kill ponies rather the closing of a road that ponies ARE KILLED IN..WHICH IS FACT.
Frank28
says...
2:21pm Thu 23 Aug 12
Huffter
says...
2:22pm Thu 23 Aug 12
one in a million
says...
3:17pm Thu 23 Aug 12
one in a million
says...
3:45pm Thu 23 Aug 12
2:21pm Thu 23 Aug 12
A few years ago, someone using Back Lane as a rat-run, killed a motorcyclist as she emerged from this very dangerous junction. Back Lane should be closed off in this way, and all the residents will enjoy the peacefulness that goes with it. However, instead of blocking it off completely at one end, there should be a lockable gate, to enable a large vehicle like a removal lorry easy access to this single track, and winding country lane. Making this particular road safer, should have happened years ago.”
Elitist isn't this? How many other roads have had accidents but the residents don't live in the forest or have a councillor as a neighbour?
Cyclestrian
says...
4:06pm Thu 23 Aug 12
There are thousands of streets in Hampshire that would benefit from being no through routes to motor vehicles. Perhaps even most roads could be made pedestrian/cyclist only at some point. Doing so would improved quality of life and health through increased walking/cycling. And only minor inconvenience to car users.
Ginger_cyclist
says...
4:08pm Thu 23 Aug 12
Cyclestrian
says...
4:55pm Thu 23 Aug 12
Torchie1
says...
5:19pm Thu 23 Aug 12
Honesty is best. wrote:You are either totally unaware of what an HGV is or do not know Back Lane because if you knew both you'd realise that there isn't a cat in hells chance of an HGV squeezing down there let alone using it as a rat run, which is a colloquialism for a short cut. As for speeding, you could pick up speed after the cattle grid on the hundred yard stretch going towards Pitmore Lane but if you got higher than fifteen or even twenty miles per hour between Durnstown and the cattle grid, you'd be better than any Rally Driver. Do you even know where Sway or the New Forest actually is?
Firstly, when did the Echo carry out the investigation ? how long did they spend there, an hour or two while taking the photo's !!
It IS A RAT RUN, drivers do drive far to fast and on top of this you also get HGV's using it.
Why do the Echo seem hell bent on writing about the leader when it has little do with him. As for a woman that has lived there for 40 years, of course there was the same amount of traffic 40 years ago as there is today !! what total rubbish, does she ever go out ?? Report on something interesting daily echo, like the amount of speeding cars that kill ponies rather the closing of a road that ponies ARE KILLED IN..WHICH IS FACT.
Honesty is best.
says...
5:25pm Thu 23 Aug 12
nedscrumpo wrote:I've never seen two pages on pony deaths in the forest in the Echo !
Honesty is best. wrote: Firstly, when did the Echo carry out the investigation ? how long did they spend there, an hour or two while taking the photo's !! It IS A RAT RUN, drivers do drive far to fast and on top of this you also get HGV's using it. Why do the Echo seem hell bent on writing about the leader when it has little do with him. As for a woman that has lived there for 40 years, of course there was the same amount of traffic 40 years ago as there is today !! what total rubbish, does she ever go out ?? Report on something interesting daily echo, like the amount of speeding cars that kill ponies rather the closing of a road that ponies ARE KILLED IN..WHICH IS FACT.Abuse of power is a justified story and the echo frequently report on new forest pony deaths. Pity the council don't focus their time on city rat runs where children are knocked down.
gillyman
says...
5:38pm Thu 23 Aug 12
opera phantom
says...
5:40pm Thu 23 Aug 12
and on any subject they will fill us up with bull **** at the first opportunity.
Higginz
says...
5:42pm Thu 23 Aug 12
Honesty is best.
says...
8:13pm Thu 23 Aug 12
Torchie1 wrote:I'm well aware of what an HGV is and where Sway is, I've been visiting it for over 10 years... And yes you can fit an HGV down it and I've seen it! You can easily speed down to the cattle grid and my son has nearly been knocked over while walking along back lane. Just add I also ride in the forest so am well aware that people drive far to fast in MOST OF IT..
Honesty is best. wrote:You are either totally unaware of what an HGV is or do not know Back Lane because if you knew both you'd realise that there isn't a cat in hells chance of an HGV squeezing down there let alone using it as a rat run, which is a colloquialism for a short cut. As for speeding, you could pick up speed after the cattle grid on the hundred yard stretch going towards Pitmore Lane but if you got higher than fifteen or even twenty miles per hour between Durnstown and the cattle grid, you'd be better than any Rally Driver. Do you even know where Sway or the New Forest actually is?
Firstly, when did the Echo carry out the investigation ? how long did they spend there, an hour or two while taking the photo's !!
It IS A RAT RUN, drivers do drive far to fast and on top of this you also get HGV's using it.
Why do the Echo seem hell bent on writing about the leader when it has little do with him. As for a woman that has lived there for 40 years, of course there was the same amount of traffic 40 years ago as there is today !! what total rubbish, does she ever go out ?? Report on something interesting daily echo, like the amount of speeding cars that kill ponies rather the closing of a road that ponies ARE KILLED IN..WHICH IS FACT.
Honesty is best.
says...
8:17pm Thu 23 Aug 12
andysaints007 wrote:Just resorting to using words such as tw*t I think proves there is only one idiot ! Well done on the use of the English language in such a great way. I see why you do read the echo!
Honesty is best. wrote:And the prize for the biggest tw*t in Hampshire goes to you !! Your Idea of 'interesting' isn't the same as most other peoples!
Firstly, when did the Echo carry out the investigation ? how long did they spend there, an hour or two while taking the photo's !!
It IS A RAT RUN, drivers do drive far to fast and on top of this you also get HGV's using it.
Why do the Echo seem hell bent on writing about the leader when it has little do with him. As for a woman that has lived there for 40 years, of course there was the same amount of traffic 40 years ago as there is today !! what total rubbish, does she ever go out ?? Report on something interesting daily echo, like the amount of speeding cars that kill ponies rather the closing of a road that ponies ARE KILLED IN..WHICH IS FACT.
If you don't like the Echo then don't read it you idiot
J.P.M
says...
9:12pm Thu 23 Aug 12
Honesty is best. wrote:RUBBISH
Firstly, when did the Echo carry out the investigation ? how long did they spend there, an hour or two while taking the photo's !!
It IS A RAT RUN, drivers do drive far to fast and on top of this you also get HGV's using it.
Why do the Echo seem hell bent on writing about the leader when it has little do with him. As for a woman that has lived there for 40 years, of course there was the same amount of traffic 40 years ago as there is today !! what total rubbish, does she ever go out ?? Report on something interesting daily echo, like the amount of speeding cars that kill ponies rather the closing of a road that ponies ARE KILLED IN..WHICH IS FACT.
J.P.M
says...
9:27pm Thu 23 Aug 12
Northamer
says...
11:16pm Thu 23 Aug 12
freefinker
says...
12:37am Fri 24 Aug 12
andysaints007 wrote:Probably the points are: -
J.P.M wrote:And you point is what? Ar*ehole
Asil Nadir has long been a friend of the Conservative Party. He was one of its biggest donors in the Thatcher era. Indeed, there were those who speculated that the fugitive businessman returned to face trial only because a Tory prime minister was back in Downing Street – that and the fact that 18 potential witnesses had died
1) Asil Nadir has long been a friend of the Conservative Party.
2) That includes Michael Mates, who resigned his ministerial position so he could defend his friend, the crook Asil Nadir, from the back benches.
3) Is that the same Michael Mates who is standing as a Tory for the Hampshire Police job? Oh, yes it is.
4) Nadir was one of its biggest donors in the Thatcher era.
5) Etc, etc.
Oh by the way J.P.M. is it 7 bedrooms that you and your badger inhabit?
Torchie1
says...
1:00am Fri 24 Aug 12
Honesty is best. wrote:A forest visitor always seems to know better than the residents.
Torchie1 wrote:I'm well aware of what an HGV is and where Sway is, I've been visiting it for over 10 years... And yes you can fit an HGV down it and I've seen it! You can easily speed down to the cattle grid and my son has nearly been knocked over while walking along back lane. Just add I also ride in the forest so am well aware that people drive far to fast in MOST OF IT..
Honesty is best. wrote:You are either totally unaware of what an HGV is or do not know Back Lane because if you knew both you'd realise that there isn't a cat in hells chance of an HGV squeezing down there let alone using it as a rat run, which is a colloquialism for a short cut. As for speeding, you could pick up speed after the cattle grid on the hundred yard stretch going towards Pitmore Lane but if you got higher than fifteen or even twenty miles per hour between Durnstown and the cattle grid, you'd be better than any Rally Driver. Do you even know where Sway or the New Forest actually is?
Firstly, when did the Echo carry out the investigation ? how long did they spend there, an hour or two while taking the photo's !!
It IS A RAT RUN, drivers do drive far to fast and on top of this you also get HGV's using it.
Why do the Echo seem hell bent on writing about the leader when it has little do with him. As for a woman that has lived there for 40 years, of course there was the same amount of traffic 40 years ago as there is today !! what total rubbish, does she ever go out ?? Report on something interesting daily echo, like the amount of speeding cars that kill ponies rather the closing of a road that ponies ARE KILLED IN..WHICH IS FACT.
Honesty is best.
says...
7:12am Fri 24 Aug 12
andysaints007 wrote:Perhaps....!
Honesty is best. wrote:Thanks - now maybe you will do us all a favour and not come on here again you boring individualandysaints007 wrote:Just resorting to using words such as tw*t I think proves there is only one idiot ! Well done on the use of the English language in such a great way. I see why you do read the echo!Honesty is best. wrote: Firstly, when did the Echo carry out the investigation ? how long did they spend there, an hour or two while taking the photo's !! It IS A RAT RUN, drivers do drive far to fast and on top of this you also get HGV's using it. Why do the Echo seem hell bent on writing about the leader when it has little do with him. As for a woman that has lived there for 40 years, of course there was the same amount of traffic 40 years ago as there is today !! what total rubbish, does she ever go out ?? Report on something interesting daily echo, like the amount of speeding cars that kill ponies rather the closing of a road that ponies ARE KILLED IN..WHICH IS FACT.And the prize for the biggest tw*t in Hampshire goes to you !! Your Idea of 'interesting' isn't the same as most other peoples! If you don't like the Echo then don't read it you idiot
Honesty is best.
says...
7:17am Fri 24 Aug 12
andysaints007 wrote:Great use of language once again !
J.P.M wrote: Asil Nadir has long been a friend of the Conservative Party. He was one of its biggest donors in the Thatcher era. Indeed, there were those who speculated that the fugitive businessman returned to face trial only because a Tory prime minister was back in Downing Street – that and the fact that 18 potential witnesses had diedAnd you point is what? Ar*ehole
ecuk268
says...
10:38am Fri 24 Aug 12
J.P.M wrote:So a lane in Sway is going to be closed because Asil Nadir is a friend of the Tory Party?
Asil Nadir has long been a friend of the Conservative Party. He was one of its biggest donors in the Thatcher era. Indeed, there were those who speculated that the fugitive businessman returned to face trial only because a Tory prime minister was back in Downing Street – that and the fact that 18 potential witnesses had died
Am I missing something here?
S!monOn
says...
4:44pm Fri 24 Aug 12
Honesty is best. wrote:The old lady says "It is a road and has been a road in all the years I have known it." and at no point does she refer to the VOLUME of traffic.
Firstly, when did the Echo carry out the investigation ? how long did they spend there, an hour or two while taking the photo's !! It IS A RAT RUN, drivers do drive far to fast and on top of this you also get HGV's using it. Why do the Echo seem hell bent on writing about the leader when it has little do with him. As for a woman that has lived there for 40 years, of course there was the same amount of traffic 40 years ago as there is today !! what total rubbish, does she ever go out ?? Report on something interesting daily echo, like the amount of speeding cars that kill ponies rather the closing of a road that ponies ARE KILLED IN..WHICH IS FACT.
So stop spouting a load of rubbish yourself!!
nedscrumpo says...
1:22pm Thu 23 Aug 12