Portsmouth Road Toucan Crossing Improvements

Supporting healthier lifestyle choices, making it safe and more pleasant for all.

Last update: September 2024

Latest updates

The new traffic signals are now operational for the new toucan crossing on Portsmouth Road.  Works are now completed June 2024.  Please see the before and after visuals.

Hampshire County Council appointed Rocon who carried out the construction works for a new toucan crossing (a light-controlled crossing for pedestrians and cyclists). This improvement replaces the existing uncontrolled crossing on Portsmouth Road in Liphook (near to the junction with The Firs). The toucan crossing was a planning condition to the new rear access at Bohunt School. Please view the location plan.

Works started on Thursday 21 March 2024 for approximately six to eight weeks and the permitted working hours were between 7.30am and 6pm, Monday to Friday. To maximise safety for road users and the contractors, two-way temporary traffic signals were in operation.

The highway improvement works associated with the new toucan crossing on Portsmouth Road included:

  • Laying pipes that encase the electric cables for the signalised toucan crossing;
  • Installing new tactile paving;
  • Installing traffic signals;
  • New road markings;
  • New signage;
  • Resurfacing a section of the Portsmouth Road near to ‘The Firs’ junction.

Works have been completed on 29 February to trim the trees that were overhanging on the road and the pavement ahead of the main works to ensure that there is good visibility for the crossing. These works were undertaken in advance to avoid the bird nesting season.

Scheme Overview

The main aims of the Portsmouth Road toucan crossing scheme are to:

  • Provide a safe crossing point for pupils accessing the new rear access to Bohunt School (Planning Permission condition);
  • Improve travel choices for people on the route from Bohunt School to the town centre/rail station;
  • Realise wider benefits of increases in active travel modes, including improved public health, reduced congestion, improved air quality and noise and carbon reduction.

The benefits of the new school pedestrian gate;

  • To provide a quieter and safe route via The Firs, as a greater proportion of students will avoid the village centre; 
  • To alleviate congestion around the main school entrance;
  • To reduce the flow of traffic through the mini roundabouts in the centre of the village at peak times.

Approval to implement the scheme was given by the Director of Universal Services on 18 December 2023.  Please read the Decision Report.

Funding Arrangements
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.
Roadworks and Travel Advice
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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Universal Services
Hampshire County Council
The Castle
Winchester
SO23 8UD