Petition to stop proposed road and parking layout outside Sun Hill Schools

Thank you for your petition regarding the proposed road and parking layout changes outside Sun Hill Schools in Alresford, associated with the development of land to the east of Sun Lane.

We acknowledge the concerns raised are around congestion, pedestrian safety, accessibility, and the impact on school operations. These matters have been considered throughout the planning and design process.

The changes to the road layout are part of the agreed highway infrastructure for the new development, and the proposed changes to Sun Lane outside the schools is to remove parking outside of the school gate and relocate this so that the last few minutes of the school journey are on foot.

A new park and stride facility with accompanying pedestrian improvements will be provided as part of the development to allow parking slightly further away from the school gate. The management of the park and stride facility is for the developer to arrange and will not be a financial strain on the schools.

The layout was informed by transport assessments, road safety audits, and consultation with both the public and statutory bodies including the highway authority and education authority (Hampshire County Council) through the planning process. Planning permission was granted in 2020 and includes the changes to Sun Lane and the school access arrangements, and the County Council is required to oversee these changes in accordance with the approved layout.

The changes to the highway will be carefully implemented and will be kept under review following completion for a period to allow the changes to bed in.

Whilst I appreciate you may be disappointed with this response, I hope I have been able to set out the background to the changes approved through the planning permission.

Yours sincerely

Councillor Lulu Bowerman
Executive Member for Highways and Passenger Transport