Pulens Lane Improvements, Petersfield

The design of the highways scheme is advancing beyond the initial concepts previously shared. As the preliminary design phase progresses, some issues have been encountered, causing delays in the overall programme. Despite these challenges, commitment to moving forward remains strong.

The good news is that funding for the scheme is secured. The target is to commence construction in the first quarter of 2026. However, active collaboration with designers is ongoing to explore opportunities to begin construction earlier if feasible.

Please see further details of the scheme in this progress update presentation.

Pulens Lane and Heath Road East, were identified by the Petersfield Strategy Group as a priority for improvements. The Petersfield Strategy Group comprises representatives from Hampshire County Council, East Hampshire District Council, the South Downs National Park and Petersfield Town Council. The roads were identified for improvements due to the high number of collisions and accidents that occur at the Durford Road junction, with speeds regularly exceeding the 30mph limit along the route, noted by the community and confirmed by speed data collection.

The proposed scheme is a series of traffic calming measures along the length of Pulens Lane and Heath Rd East to the Junction with Rival Moor Rd. These include raised tables and pinch points. The scheme aims to improve safety for all road users, using a healthy streets approach to promote walking and cycling while enhancing Petersfield's natural environment and rural features.

The aim of the scheme is to improve safety for everyone that travels along Pulens Lane and Heath Road East, so that:

Everyone feels welcome; reflecting the character of the area and highlighting attractive features, complying with ‘Roads in South Downs’ Guidance from South Downs National Park (SDNP) and being sensitive to local environment: particularly Petersfield Heath and Tilmore Brook;
People choose to walk and cycle; by improving the links across Pulens Lane and Heath Road East, to support the Petersfield Neighbourhood Development Plan Getting Around Policies and East Hants Local Cycling and Walking Improvements Plan, therefore promoting more sustainable access;
Easy to cross; ensuring that there are less barriers to people wanting to cross the road, providing better crossing points, particularly with the junction redesign at Durford Road/Heath Road junction, to reduce the likelihood of accidents;
People feel safe; reducing the speed of traffic to be under 30mph, ideally 20mph; and
Things to see & do; providing better walking and cycling access to existing recreational facilities in the area, such as: Petersfield Heath; Tilmore Brook Local Nature Reserve and the leisure facilities at Penns Place, but also linking to routes into the town centre by foot or cycle.

The feedback from the original proposed scheme will be considered when designing the remaining phases.
For the revised sections of the scheme (Section 2 and part of Section 3) currently being designed, the written unstructured comments / feedback from respondents highlighted in the below table:

Focus	Response
Traffic lights at the crossroads.	The addition of signals in this location has been looked into by the scheme designers and our Intelligent Traffic Systems teams. Due to the constrained area of the crossroads combined with the rural nature of the area and Petersfield’s location in the South Downs National Park, it is not feasible to introduce signals with crossing facilities at this location. Doing so would urbanise the area, which is contrary to South Downs National Park Policies, and would require acquiring land from the Heath area and properties around the junction. Additionally, the cost of implementing signals at this location would be prohibitive and exceed the available budget for the scheme.
Formal pedestrian crossings (type not specified) at Tilmore Brook and Durford Road crossroads.	The design will include crossing locations for pedestrians, wheeled users and cyclists. However, due to the constraints outlined in i) above, it is not possible to add formal crossing facilities such as zebra or parallel crossings on this junction. The design will include suitable crossing points with tactile paving on the raised table for the crossroads. The raised table, combined with the pinch points on the approached to the junctions will have the effect of slowing traffic, creating a safer crossing environment.
The need for formal dropped kerb crossings on the side roads.	Where possible, dropped kerbs and tactile paving will be added to the side road crossings.
Additional traffic calming measures (speed bumps /raised tables at the pinch points), traffic calming on the Heath Road approach to the crossroads.	Having further reviewed the design in relation to the feedback, two additional traffic calming pinch points have been added to the scheme. One on the Heath Road approach to the crossroads, and the other on the Durford Road approach.
Stop signs on the crossroads.	The signage at the crossroads is being reviewed and if appropriate the Stop sign on Durford Road will remain. Additional Stop signs will be considered where appropriate, however these must meet the strict criteria required for Stop signs to be introduced, including authorisation from the Department for Transport and the Secretary of State for Transport.

The survey feedback survey closed on 7 January 2024 at 11:59pm. You can still read the information pack, Healthy Streets Report and Frequently Asked Questions.

Funding for the transport capital delivery schemes is separate from the County Council’s revenue budget and savings proposals. In the majority of cases funding comes from external grants and / or Section 106 contribution from developers. This funding usually has conditions that strictly control on how, where and when it can be spent.

Visit One.Network which is where the planned works are published and is an independent platform that allows real-time monitoring of all the UK’s roadworks and diversions.

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Name Highways, Engineering and Transport
Email [email protected]
Phone 0300 555 1388

Address
Universal Services
Hampshire County Council
The Castle
Winchester
SO23 8UD