New crossing for schoolchildren safety

The crossing will be on Hitches Lane outside Calthorpe Park School

A new crossing for walkers and cyclists has been given the go-ahead to ensure the safety of children on their way to and from school.

Hampshire County Council has given the green light for £368,200 to be spent installing the new parallel crossing in Fleet.

The money comes from developer contributions and a grant from Active Travel England.

The parallel crossing, made up of a zebra crossing but with an area for cyclists to cross without dismounting, will be on Hitches Lane.

To the east is Calthorpe Park School, one of the two secondary schools in Fleet, and to the west is Hart Leisure Centre.

To the north is the new residential area of Edenbrook Village, and to the south is another new housing estate.

A report said that historically, ensuring the safety of schoolchildren accessing Calthorpe Park School has been a significant concern for councillors, parents, and school staff.

An initial feasibility report undertaken in 2021 brought a range of options to improve access from Fleet and Elvetham Heath areas to the school and the leisure centre.

However, the report said that with the new crossing, a "safe crossing point for the wider community and people wishing to navigate between the housing development, leisure centre and the school" will be provided, addressing the concerns.

Hart District Council, the school, and the leisure centre have been consulted and are said to be "happy" with the plan.

Works are set to start in October.

As part of the proposal, a review of signage in the vicinity of the crossing, including new '20mph when-lights flash' signs to alert motorists to the school, is to be included.