A35 and A31 rat-run traffic ‘incessant’ through once-quiet Emery Down in the New Forest
TRAFFIC passing through a New Forest village has been branded ‘horrendous’ as drivers cut through the link to two major A-roads
Annette Booth, who has lived in Emery Down for around 50 years, told the A&T at rush hour and weekends the traffic is “horrendous” as motorists use it as a rat-run.
“I attempted to work in my front garden one Saturday and it was like being alongside the A31 – the traffic never stopped streaming through incessantly all day long. This was from both directions, from Stoney Cross and Cadnam up our narrow back lane.
“Our village has been used as a rat-run to and from Cadnam for several decades – but now it is also being used as a direct link between the A31 and the A35.
“Of course, I will be told that it is progress and a sign of the times, but 50 years ago when I came here you could hear the birds sing – now all you hear are engines revving and throbbing, motorists yelling and hooting, radios blasting, loud conversations on speaker phones, caravans and motor homes jammed and causing chaos, and you drink in lungfuls of toxic exhaust fumes.”
Annette says the simple answer to the problem would be to install ‘no left turn’ signs at the end of Mill Lane and at Stoney Cross.
“Then everything heading towards Bournemouth and Christchurch would be channelled along the A31 to Ringwood, along a fast and suitable road, and our little village would become peaceful and safe to walk through once again.”
She said over the years residents had approached Hampshire County Council and various parish councillors to help with the ongoing traffic issues – all to no avail.
Cllr Hilary Brand, district councillor for Lyndhurst, told the A&T she had been made aware of ongoing traffic problems impacting the area, which included issues with traffic lights in the High Street and temporary lights while construction takes place at the former Lyndhurst Park Hotel site.
She added: “Myself and the parish council, along with Hampshire Highways, New Forest District Council and the New Forest National Park Authority, are all meeting in October to start putting together a transport plan for Lyndhurst. The issues with the High Street and Emery Down will be looked at as part of this review.”
A spokesperson for Hoburne, which is building a mixture of commercial units and homes on the former hotel site, told the A&T the temporary lights had now been removed.
The spokesperson added: “They were installed for two weeks, with permission from the Highways Agency, and operated from 9.30am to 4pm on weekdays. Every effort was made to cause as little inconvenience for local road users as possible, and we're most grateful for everyone's patience.”
