Letters: Relocating council depot just moves the traffic problem

SIR - It was with some interest that I read the report of the planned re-siting of the New Forest District Council Claymeadow depot to the Hardley Industrial estate.

Your report states that council consideration was given to this proposed move to help reduce the general noise nuisance of its neighbouring area.

This noise reduction suggestion I have no objection to, but to move the depot into an already congested road system only seems to be placating one neighbourhood but maybe upsetting another.

Has any consideration been given to those persons in the Waterside who will have to endure more traffic on the already crowded A326?

Over the past few years, we in Fawley and surrounding areas have had to endure a large increase of heavy transport vehicles travelling to and from the quarry at Badminston, and also from the newer quarry facility opposite Netley View council estate.

It seems strange that the very authorities who are concerned with the high traffic usage of the A326 are now proposing to increase this load yet again.

When and if the proposed development at the redundant Fawley power station goes ahead, the rate of traffic will increase even further, despite the so-called improvements to the various roundabouts that we have been promised.

Over the past few years any minor accident on the A326 shuts down any direct access to and from the Waterside leaving only the Forest 'rat runs' on minor roads accessible via Marchwood and Colbury.

The NFDC should really have a hard rethink on this proposal before moving the depot to the Waterside.

D.G. Headley, Holbury