News Date: Tuesday 17th January 2006
Chester Avenue residents discuss anti-social behaviour problems
At a meeting of Chester Avenue residents last Saturday, it was agreed that since the last resident's meeting the anti social behaviour in the area had decreased noticeably but that a recent reduction in community police patrols had led to a return of the problems.
The meeting at Haverfield House was organised by Roger Oakley and was chaired by Tim Loughton MP and attended by Councillor Jack Sahied and Major Tom Wye, Lyndhurst Road School Governor.
After pressure from residents and Tim Loughton's representations to the local police, community police patrols did increase in the area and this had a significant affect on anti-social behaviour. However, in the last few months these patrols were notably less and the problems were returning. There had been several incidents in the earlier hours of the morning involving damage, noise and bottle throwing. The residents discussed their concern that the street would be neglected unless they were vigilant.
The lack of close and accessible recreational areas and youth activities was identified as a contributory factor to the anti-social behaviour and Tim Loughton agreed that he would study the possibility of making better use of recreational facilities and asked Roger Oakley to liaise with the community police and obtain some reassurance that the area would not be neglected.
Also at the top of the agenda was the ever increasing traffic problem in Chester Avenue. A straw poll of residents identified the following problems:
- It is used as a rat run at peak traffic hours to avoid the traffic lights at Lyndhurst Road junction Ham Road.
- During school term the road is used a parking area for parents delivering children to school.
- The traffic speed can be dangerous because of the nature of the road.
- The pavements are in an appalling state of repair.
- The use of Chester Ave. by large lorries often caused major problems.
The residents agreed to ask West Sussex County Council to consider a one way order for the road. That is directing traffic to travel only from Ham Road to Lyndhurst Road. It was also agreed that better signing and a weight limit on traffic (preventing large lorry use) would also assist traffic flow.
Tim commented:
"Something meaningful and constructive has to be done to combat the growing traffic menace. Roger Oakley has done an excellent job of bringing pressure to bear so far and we look forward to hearing the result of his further representations to the police and County Council."
?, Tim Loughton MP , 2006
