THE lack of pavements on a Basingstoke housing development is “an accident waiting to happen” according to residents.

After the Gazette ran an article about pavements being left out of the design at Longacre because the roads are meant to be “shared equally” by pedestrians and vehicles, residents got in touch to express their frustrations.

Sam Hargreaves, who has lived in Rowan Avenue since 2018, said: “I fear it is going to take a nasty accident before lessons are learned.”

The 50-year-old said she had never heard of residential streets designed without pavements, and said the estate is “dangerous” as a result.

READ MORE: Pavements left out of Basingstoke development because roads are 'shared equally'

She added: “I walk my dog twice a day and there are lots of dog walkers and children. There’s going to be a massive accident because it’s not just delivery vans, there are people who are visiting or people who have just moved in who go really fast. I’ve had to shout at people and tell them to slow down.”

However, Sam believes it is not the fault of drivers - who have no idea that the roads are meant to be shared equally with pedestrians - because there are no signs to let them know.

She believes the housing estate has been designed in a way that is not pedestrian-friendly, with walkers forced to stand on wet and muddy grass verges to allow vehicles to pass; or walk across cobbled speed calming measures which she said are a “trip hazard”.

Basingstoke Gazette:

“Last week I saw a little boy on a scooter and he went head over the top. The cobbles are super high and I have fallen over them,” she said.

She added: “No one seems to understand the rules and daily there are drivers speeding up the avenue. It’s an accident waiting to happen. The traffic calming system that is in place does not work and is a very clear trip hazard for pedestrians as the cobbles are far too high after Linden Homes raised the height of them following residents’ complaints of speeding cars.”

Sam said that nothing has been done despite residents repeatedly raising concerns.

She said: “Residents and visitors need to be made aware of the shared road rules. It’s not enough for the highways or council to expect people to know.”

Sam added: “It’s a stupid layout, I don’t get it. It’s crazy. There will be an accident and that’s what it will take for something to be done.”

Concerns have also been raised regarding a lack of parking at Longacre, which was built more than six years ago. 

Sam said: “There are not enough parking spaces and people are dumping cars everywhere.”

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The Gazette asked Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council whether it had any concerns about approving designs for a housing development with no pavements on many of the residential roads. 

It said: “When determining planning applications for new developments, the council follows the relevant planning policy and guidance and takes expert consultation advice from the Highway Authority. Shared surfaces are a feature of some developments, which is allowed for in highway and planning guidance.”

A spokesperson for Vistry Group, part of developers Linden Homes, said: “This is a standard and well-accepted form of layout and street design in modern developments, providing low design speeds and pedestrian priority.

Hampshire County Council is yet to respond to a request for a comment.