Residents fail to be convinced of progress on eco-town status
IN 2009, Bordon was announced as one of four sites in the UK for an eco-town as part of a scheme put in place by the Labour Government and £10m was provided to start the development of Whitehill Bordon as a carbon-neutral area with sustainable housing and business facilities.
Although new Eco-town project director Steve Pearce is optimistic about the green future of Whitehill and Bordon, many existing residents are still unsure of the benefits of the eco-town status.
Bordon Post reporter Holly Falconer spoke to a number of people.
Karen Crowne, of Lindford said : “I don’t think much has been done about the eco town since it was awarded its status. Nothing as of yet has changed, we just keep getting letters saying things have changed.”
Charlotte Dickinson, of Bordon said: “I don’t think there have been any changes other than them developing the old fire station into an eco station which has made it look more presentable. Aside from that though, nothing looks very different.”
James McDermott, of Bordon added: “Nothing has been done yet. The transport’s got worse in the last few years and you can’t see how we have changed to become an eco town.”
Andy Fisher, of Whitehill said: “I think it’s disappointing that we were promised fibre optic broadband by the end of 2012 and yet it still hasn’t happened. I don’t think it will happen even by the end of 2013.”
Adam White, of Whitehill claimed: “I think it’s just status to make us look good. It is just to boost the town’s profile. It makes us look like we’re doing something but, in reality, they’re doing absolutely nothing.”
Ben Toovey, of Whitehill said: “The council has put out a ton of ideas and goals but the only thing to emerge is the eco station. It doesn’t really show in the community, there’s no sign when you enter Bordon. It just seems like an afterthought. They’ve not involved the people, it only really matters to the councillors.”
James Taylor-Meme, of Whitehill complained: “I think progress has been slow. There has been no real sign of integration of the eco town and nothing looks different from before it changed status.”
Olli Van Dongen, of Bordon said: “I think the town’s got worse since the eco town status. You would have thought the status would have brought world-class public transport to us and instead we are just as isolated as before. It is dreadful, without driving, to get to Guildford. Using current public transport it would take an hour and a half. It is a really ill thought-out plan.”
Cat Martin, of Whitehill said: “All they have done is build the eco station, which isn’t doing much.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Petersfield
Sunday 19 May 2013
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 9 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 11 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North
