Petition - Installation of a pedestrian crossing at junction of Fleet Road and Kings Road to prevent accidents

Thank you for your letter and petition concerning the recent works to bring Bar End Meadow back into management.

The County Council has acknowledged that whilst the timing of the cutting of the grassland/bramble had been agreed with its ecologists there should have been a pre-site inspection beforehand and the cutting of the denser scrub left to the autumn. We apologise that this happened and have set in place procedures to make sure this doesn’t happen again.

A site visit was undertaken recently with Nicky Court, Specialist Environment Services/HBIC manager and members of the Highcliffe Community Group to assess the current condition and to discuss options for the ongoing management of the meadow. I am pleased that the chalk grassland community has recovered well but bramble regrowth is still an issue and needs to be tackled.

The County Council is committed to twice yearly cuts to bring the grassland back into management but a more targeted approach to the bramble will be needed. A number of options for the future management of the site are being drawn up and will be discussed with the Highcliffe Community Group and County Highways as to the best way forward.

Kind regards

Cllr Russell Oppenheimer
Executive Member for Highways Operations