Cycle route plan between Odiham and Hook is 'hopeless for commuters'

That was the view of Odiham councillor Mike O’Neill, who spoke about Hampshire County Council’s plan to link two villages divided by the M3 motorway.

A meeting of Odiham Parish Council heard that the plan would involve creating a multi-use path that would begin in Odiham and go past The Derby Inn in North Warnborough.

It would then cross common land to an existing footbridge across the M3, east of junction 5, which leads to Holt Lane in Hook.

The county council has asked the parish council for feedback on the initial plan.

Councillor Helen Fleming said the idea of improving the cycle and pedestrian access between the two villages had been around for “years and years”.

But Cllr O’Neill said commuters trying to get from Odiham and North Warnborough to Hook railway station would continue to cross the junction 5 roundabout, as it is a shorter distance.

He added: “It’s a waste of money because it’s not going to be used. It is a hopeless route they are suggesting as a safe commuting route to the station.”

But the meeting heard upgrading paths around the A287 and junction 5 would end up being more expensive.

Cllr Fleming added: “I especially think in the summer, when the weather is nice, people will use it because it will be far nicer for people than going by the traffic.”

Members agreed to welcome the route as a leisure route but to raise concerns about how suitable it would be for commuters.

Anne Atkins, clerk at Hook Parish Council, told The Gazette that the village had concerns that if the path was built, parents would lose out on free school bus trips for children attending Robert May’s School, in West Street, Odiham.

The service was provided as the junction 5 roundabout is considered too dangerous for Hook pupils travelling to Odiham.