Council announces major community investments
Council Leader Keith House revealed two major community projects at last night’s Full Council meeting.
The Council is set to start work on a feasibility study for a long-term transport ambition to develop a cycleway, in parallel with the railway line, to link Hedge End, via Horton Heath, to Eastleigh town centre.
The Council’s work on the west of Horton Heath project has already shown this as a local ambition that would provide local residents with the opportunity to enjoy a 10 -15minute cycle along a direct, flat three mile route from Burnetts Lane to Eastleigh instead of 30 minutes to drive the longer five mile route in a vehicle.
Council Leader Keith House said, “In order to include this in the exciting Horton Heath project, we need to start preparatory work: and so we are delighted to allocate £40,000 to bring forward a range of technical studies to help make this project a reality.”
Following the completion of a recent management study, the Council will be allocating £250,000 to implement a restoration project for Hiltingbury Lakes. The restoration project will help to improve water flows in the lakes and removal of non-native vegetation together with improvements to footpaths and signage.
The funding will consist of £125,000 from New Homes Bonus to match contributions made by developers of local housing sites to be used for improvements in the community.
Council Leader Keith House said, “This is an exciting scheme to improve a much loved local facility for local people to continue to enjoy and to also improve the biodiversity of the lakes and surrounding area.”