Published: 2 October 2025
Good news, we are now back to a full complement of ten Parish Councillors. Helen Knight from Easton has joined us. Like all members of the Parish Council Helen will have a dedicated Councillor email address. Please make sure you use it when contacting Helen on Parish Council matters. As said many times before Councillors’ and our Clerk’s email addresses should always be used for Parish Council matters. These can be found on our website along with a lot more interesting and useful information.
One very current source of information on the website, along with further links to what is happening on the M3 Junction 9 project, including road closures and diversions. News of other road works will also be posted as soon as we are informed of them. This is by far the best way to find out what is happening short term and what is planned to happen long term. We are still trying to get measures in place to improve safety and reduce congestion on the narrow roads south of and into Easton as reported in previous editions of Itchen Valley News. Unfortunately so far the response from Hampshire County Council Highways, who would have to implement such measures, has been disappointing and minimal. We will continue to press for some positive action.
Two Parish Councillors and a number of interested parties have met with representatives of Southern Water and their contractors at the proposed site of the Avington Sewage Pumping Station. As previously reported there has been a significant delay due to the requirement to keep an aging sycamore tree. It was agreed that, rather than challenge this requirement, it was better to accept the proposed change to move the entrance to the east and get the project completed as soon as possible. The priority must be to stop sewage going into the river. The latest projection is for work to start in spring next year. Once again the road through Avington will have to be closed while work takes place. There will be a significant of spoil to be removed from site. The pumping station will be fenced and screened by trees. A request has been made for the site and access entrance south of footpath 503 to be gated and fenced.
Three members of the Environmental Working Group visited Hartley Mill in North Hampshire to look at a micro-hydro-generation plant. Due to its unique design features this system called “Picostream”, unlike other more conventional systems like water wheels, Archmedean screws and turbines, it does not require an Environmental Agency license, or payment for water use and discharge, nor is it harmful to aquatic life. There are potential sites within the Valley and it is claimed to have a shorter payback time than solar or wind power generation.
As some will have seen the finger sign post near The Plough was damaged when hit by a car. Since then someone has taken away the remains of the post. If anyone knows who has it, please let us know as it was destined for repair. Unfortunately, most likely, it has been stolen for scrap. The Parish Council is in discussion with our insurers to see if we can get sufficient funding for a replacement.
As reported in a previous edition of Itchen Valley News the bus shelter opposite the War Memorial in Martyr Worthy is in a poor state of repair and it appears to be little used. It will therefore be taken down and not replaced. However there does appear to be a potential need for a shelter on the opposite side of the road possibly sited just east of Church Lane. Cost and potential designs are being investigated. Please let us know if you think a shelter at this location is a good idea. It may well depend on whether we still have any bus service, let alone a reasonable one. That has not been forgotten and we will continue to keep pressing not only for just the service we have but for an improved one as well.
Finally, to all owners of hedges bordering rights of way, now is the time to get them cut back. This is especially important where overgrowth forces people into the road. It is serious safety issue.
Patrick Appleby.