Ford to be off-limits to off-road vehicles (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Ford to be off-limits to off-road vehicles

2:20pm Sunday 5th September 2010 in

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VILLAGERS are asking for a ford to be fenced off because of safety fears about off-road driving enthusiasts.

David Stewart, of The Green, North Warnborough, told Odiham Parish Council that convoys of off-road vehicles travel at speed through the ford, which crosses Mill Lane near Odiham Castle, for fun or to clean their cars.

He said he had collected a petition of 47 signatures from residents in Mill Lane, The Green and Tunnel Lane calling for the ford to be fenced off.

The meeting heard that the water, which is around nine inches deep and is part of the River Whitewater, is a popular place for children to paddle during the summer and for dog walkers all year round.

Mr Stewart said: “I think that the consideration has to be the safety of the majority of the users.

“Neither Tunnel Lane nor Mill Lane is suitable for these types of vehicles in the first place. Residents use them because needs must.

“Because it is not the final destination of the 4x4 drivers, they are not really interested in driving carefully through the ford and they will drive at any speed they can do.”

The plan also has the backing of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, which owns the nearby Warnborough Greens nature site.

Councillor Helen Fleming, who lives in The Green and did not take part in the debate, told councillors for background that residents had complained in 2007 about the problem, but after a parish council questionnaire the matter was not taken up.

Councillor Simon Cubbage said: “What has to be balanced is the right of people to enjoy themselves and the safety of people.

“I would like to see the end of these 4x4s. I would propose that we write to Hampshire County Council requesting that they prevent all traffic from using the ford other than on exceptional occasions.”

The councillors unanimously agreed with the proposal.