Published: 16 August 2025
The Parish Council does not meet in August. However that does not mean all activities come to a halt. Work on the M3 Junction 9 Improvement scheme continues apace. The Contractors are making good use of the dry weather and if that reduces the time until completion of the project all to the good. The downside for Valley Residents is the problem caused by heavy traffic coming through the narrow lanes to the south of, and into Easton. This is both a problem of noise and, as has happened several times, complete blockage of the lanes by Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) coming face to face and only able to pass with great difficulty.
The Parish Council, with active support of our County Councillor Jackie Porter, has been trying to get this problem addressed for several months. An onsite meeting with National Highways and their Contractors was held in May and regular meetings by Teams have been held since. Our proposals to improve the situation on these roads are; comprehensive and clear signage, temporary speed restrictions and a one way system for the most crucial narrow roads. We were informed at the meeting in May that it would be Hampshire County Council Highways responsibility to have these measures put in place. Consequently a letter was sent to the County Councillor with responsibility for Highways and Transport. The reply was “I am liaising with the head of Highways and one of us will come back to you as soon as we have the details for you”. Since then the only information we have received has been thanks to the help and support from Jackie Porter. We have had no formal reply or direct communication from Hampshire County Council. Another letter has therefore been sent and a response is awaited. Meanwhile while Traffic congestion and face offs between HGVs that should not be using these narrow lanes continues. Rest assured, the Parish Council is making every effort it can and will continue to do so to get appropriate sensible measures in place. In the meantime we will be posting traffic information with relevant links on our Website and elsewhere.
While on the subject of information, whether supplying it to, or seeking it from Parish Councillors, please use our official email addresses which can be found on our Website along with other useful information. This includes which Councillor is best to contact on any given subject. It is also worth copying in or Clerk on all correspondence, who will see that it goes to the right Councillor and will check on progress. Sending emails to on Parish Council matters to private addresses can result in delays or being missed altogether.
It is unfortunate that the Old School Field in Easton has had to be closed during part of school summer holidays but necessary while a tree in a dangerous condition was made safe. This work has been organised by the Trust that manages the field and supported by the Parish Council who are responsible for the play equipment. Tree surveys have been carried out at both this field and Couch Green. Depending on what is recommended further work may well be needed.
Not forgotten is the Avington Sewage Project. We have at last received some information from Southern Water. There has been another delay. This time the need is for redesign of the pumping station due to a tree being in the way and not allowed to be felled. They will be holding a meeting with interested parties at a date still to be decided. A request has for plans to be supplied in advance of the meeting has been agreed.
The Parish Council next meets at Easton Village Hall on 4th September. September is also a time when hedge cutting can start. Will all those who have Rights of Way adjacent to or across their land see that overgrowth from the sides onto the footpath or bridle way is cut back. This is especially important in the case of rights of way along the road side where overgrowth if not cut back to above head height can force pedestrians into the road and becomes a safety issue.
Patrick Appleby, IVPC Chairman