TRAFFIC calming measures could be introduced outside a proposed new retirement home after people living nearby voiced concerns.
McCarthy and Stone is planning to build 33 one and two-bedroom flats with 13 parking spaces on the former site of Wickham Labs on Winchester Road in Wickham.
But after a public consultation, numerous residents told the developers they were worried about access onto the busy main road, and the safety of people trying to cross it.
County division councillor Patricia Stallard said: ‘I have been down there to look at it myself after receiving several complaints from worried residents.
‘It’s very narrow along there for pedestrians and when you get those big lorries thundering down there, they’ve told me that the vortex can knock you into the walls.
‘I’ve had the highways team down here as well and they agreed that something needs to be done.’
As there is already a pedestrian crossing in place by Wickham Square, it is deemed too close to install another one.
Cllr Stallard added: ‘Because this is an A road, they can’t build a permanent pinch point, so they are suggesting to paint pinch points on the road and put up extra warning signs.’
A spokesman for McCarthy & Stone said it had positive feedback from their first exhibition about the plans in May.
He added: ‘We were encouraged that 83 per cent of residents who provided feedback at the time were in support of our plans in principle.
‘We also received a number of constructive comments which we have sought to take on board where possible – the majority of which focused around the busy nature of Winchester Road and its limited space along the present pedestrian access route into the Square.
‘Since then, we have held discussions with the local highways authority, Winchester City Council planning officers and other key stakeholders to ensure an appropriate scheme for Wickham is achieved.’
A second public exhibition for the revised plans will take place at Wickham Community Centre from 3pm to 8pm on November 29.
For more information, call 0800 2987040.
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