Residents objecting to plans

Public notices were posted in The Vale, Oakley, informing residents that double yellow lines would be painted at the junction of their road and Oakley Lane, near to the One Stop shop. The purpose was to ease congestion, especially at times when school traffic is busiest.

Four people objected to the plans, raising concerns that the restrictions would result in vehicles parking further along The Vale, and another two objections were raised from residents living elsewhere in the village. The borough council then proposed that lines should be shorter and only painted near the junction.

Oakley Parish Councillor Graeme Hewitt, who lives in The Vale, said he preferred the original plans. The 72-year-old said: “For those living in The Vale, leaving Oakley Lane to enter The Vale can often be very difficult and dangerous with vehicles backing up in to the main road.”

The father-of-three claimed that there was tacit support for the first proposals. He said: “Of the 68 properties in The Vale, and also taking into account the commercial properties – some 80 properties showed that the majority were in favour.”

Tim Boschi, head of community services at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council , said concerns had been raised about yellow lines having a bad effect on local shops and possible nuisance to residents further into The Vale. He said: “On this basis, a decision was made to reduce the scale of the yellow lines.”

He said a meeting had been held on July 20 with Oakley Parish Council , the local police, ward councillor Rob Golding and borough council officers, and agreement was reached to look at “extending the parking controls on the access to The Vale”. Mr Boschi said: “This scheme will now be subject to a formal consultation with local representatives with a view to it being publicly advertised during early autumn.”