Author: Andy Henderson

Posted on

Hayling Ferry company goes into administration

We understand the company that runs the Hayling Ferry has gone into administration. According to the company’s Twitter account, service is closed.

There’s still some hope the service will return if:

  • Another company buys the company or some of its assets
  • One of the councils takes it on
  • An entirely new service is created in place of the old one

That would seem to require renegotiation of either the controversial pontoon fees, a subsidy from Portsmouth City Council (which withdrew its subsidy last year) or both. That leaves little scope for a return in the short term.

That’s sad news for Hayling Islanders. It’s particularly bad for cyclists and cycle-tourism because it disrupts National Cycle Network route 2 which relies on the Ferry. The obvious alternate route (across Farlington Marshes and down Eastern Road) by-passes Hayling Island altogether.

We’ll post an update if we learn more.

Posted on

Thank you from Cycle Hayling

Thanks to everyone who came to Wednesday’s public meeting.

We had an impressive turnout and were able to discuss a range of issues affecting cyclists on Hayling Island. Your attendance and words of encouragement renewed our motivation to bring about a cycle-friendlier Hayling Island. Your suggestions were welcome and we will follow-up on them.

Attendees included all but one of the prospective parliamentary candidates for Havant: Alan Mak (Conservative), Graham Giles (Labour), John Perry (UKIP), and Tim Dawes (Green party). There was therefore a very good chance we were able to brief our next MP on the problems we face and what we seek to do about them. I offered each of the PPC’s the option to send you a message via the web site and email list. Hopefully their messages will give you a good idea of the support for cycling you can expect from each candidate should they be elected.

I’m pleased that we continue to get support from our local councillors. Frank Pearce, Andy Lenaghan and John Perry (playing a dual role) all attended and renewed their assurances of help where they can give it.

If you would like to get more involved in what we are doing, there are several opportunities available to you. As just one example, Sue Underwood has started a new project to survey cycle traffic on the island. Please let me know if you’d like to play a bigger part in this or any other aspect of our work.

Thank you again,

Andy Henderson
Chair, Cycle Hayling

Posted on

Seafront path upgraded

The seafront accessibility path did not start well. Some sections had fared better than others, but even the best quickly broke up leaving large, loose pebbles across the path. It was only suitable for bikes with big tyres which – ironically – had no problem with the original terrain.

We’ve had discussions about the state of the path with Havant and we’re pleased to report it’s had a significant upgrade.

The large pebbles have gone and they’ve been replaced by a much smoother surface. That’s not only safer and more comfortable for bikes but also more suitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

The new surface is the same as that used on the Billy Trail just south of the bridge. We have reservations about durability. It will be interesting to see how the surface fares over winter.

The area around the COPP memorial has also been upgraded and it looks like Havant has found a way to use some of the pebbles removed from the surface of the path…

Posted on

Another Billy Trail closure – more improvement

See below for an update from the Havant Transport and Implementation Team. We don’t yet have dates for the closure but will post them here when we do.

It’s good to see more improvement. It’s early days, but the new section seems much better than the southern section, so we’re hoping it will set the standard for future improvements.

Continue reading “Another Billy Trail closure – more improvement”

Posted on

30mph speed limit to go ahead

30mph road sign

We made several responses to the Hampshire County Council proposal to implement a 30mph limit on the stretch of the A3032 from New Cut to the Mill Rythe roundabout. They were seen as constructive and helpful by Frank Pearce (the county councillor responsible for making the final decision) and the Hampshire officers involved, so we were invited to participate in a meeting called by Frank to discuss the proposal.

Continue reading “30mph speed limit to go ahead”