Covid road closures for social distancing in Portchester and Catisfield labelled 'unsafe' and 'farcical' by residents

Hampshire County Council has blocked cars from using Fishers Hill, off Catisfield Lane, in Catisfield, and Portsdown Road, off the A27, in Portchester, as part of social distancing measures across the county.

It comes as the council have closed more than 20 roads from Gosport to Winchester, with nine further closures planned.

But the existing closures in the Fareham borough have already been labelled ‘a farce’, with emergency vehicles having to take busier routes and cars dangerously driving around the barriers to continue their journey, according to residents.

The closure of Portsdown Road has seen no increase in cyclists or pedestrians, according to resident Stephen Gratton.

The 70-year-old, who has lived in Portchester for more than 40 years, said: ‘It’s just a farce.

‘There was no consultation – they haven’t taken into consideration the elderly demographic of the area.’

Fishers Hill resident Jeanette Dennis agreed the lack of consultation had been farcical and said cars have been moving the plastic bollards blocking her road – while others have hurled abuse at her as they use her drive to turn around.

She said: ‘Most people are happy that the road is closed, and there are more cyclists and pedestrians.

‘I’ve lived here 10 years and there’s never been an accident – but I fear that’s going to change.

‘If the council are going to block the road, they need to make sure drivers can’t get around.’

The road closure could be in place for up to three months.

SEE ALSO: Section of seafront road in Portsmouth to reopen earlier than planned

The Portsdown Road closure could be in place for up to 12 months, with all the measures under ‘continual review’ and temporary materials used should they need to be removed quickly, according to Councillor Rob Humby, deputy leader of Hampshire County Council.

He said: ‘We have put in this temporary pop up scheme now as we believe the scheme may have a valuable role to play in supporting safer journeys to local education establishments.

‘With one or two schemes we have also found that they have not proved effective in practice, and we have therefore taken them out again.’

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