I've done my bit...

downfader

Past couple of weeks coming home has been nice what with the very wet weather. Part of my commute takes me through Southampton Common, and usually around kicking out time for the schools. I take the common as its quiet and a lot nicer than the a***hole drivers that lean out of their windows shouting "use the cyclelane, p****!" (The fact that there technically IS no cyclelane escapes them)

Part of the common leads down into an underpass to avoid a very busy 40mph road (where drivers frequently do 60). This is a safe route for kids on foot and bike.

I found myself having to report the underpass this week for two reasons, one being a mud slide and the other being school kids tearing down through the underpass at great speed. They don't seem to realise that people with kids and dogs will be using the utility also. There have been a few near misses due to these kids. One or two I have told "SLOW DOWN!"

So I reported this to the council not knowing who to technically contact. I knew a contractor dealt with the Common.. but who. It also needed someone to have a word with the local schools imo, to make them realise the danger they possessed to themselves and others, after all they could easily slip on the mud.

I got my reply today. The contractor has sent me a message that I should call the Police on 101 and have them deal with it. Now the simple fact of the matter is that the Police wont deal with this, it is outside their normal bounds of operation just as they wont go and deal with many a smaller problem on private land elsewhere. They havent stepped in with other similar circumstances and have left it to the contracted security instead.

I now feel like I have "done my bit" and simply wont waste my time chasing people any further. If an accident happens they cant say nobody warned them. :? Opinions?

sirmy

Calling 101 would be of no use anyway, the response time is usually in excess of 2 hours

Try contacting the council's highways department (might be local or county) and asking if the underpass is adopted (a path maintained at the public expense), if it is, it may be regarded as part of the road passing above it, then they will be responsible for it's upkeep and liable for any claims resulting from accidents. The thought of an insurance claim quite often good for focusing the mind

AndyManc

E-mail the local councillor for that area, also send him the reply you received from the contractor.

Councillor's can do a lot of the donkey work and they are more likely to get a response.

If you don't get satisfaction from the councillor , try the local MP.


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downfader

sirmy wrote:

Calling 101 would be of no use anyway, the response time is usually in excess of 2 hours

Try contacting the council's highways department (might be local or county) and asking if the underpass is adopted (a path maintained at the public expense), if it is, it may be regarded as part of the road passing above it, then they will be responsible for it's upkeep and liable for any claims resulting from accidents. The thought of an insurance claim quite often good for focusing the mind

Its gone through the council, then referred to the highways.. then the common's people on to the security contract... entry points to the underpass remain on the common.