THE newly-appointed head of highway operations for Hampshire County Council has become the third post-holder to visit Durford Road crossroads.

Previously Cllr Rob Humby, now HCC leader, and Petersfield county councillor Russell Oppenheimer, now executive member for countryside, culture and communities, visited to hear local views.

And like them, Cllr Nick Adams-King pledged to make safer Pulens Lane and Heath Road East; the roads lead to the Durford Road crossroads with Heath Road.

There have been many accidents at the crossroads and a fatality. It is understood the proposed safety work will be pinchpoints on Pulens Lane and Heath Road East

He said: “This needs to be done and should be done, but it could take between 18 months and two years.”

And Cllr Adams-King was surprised to learn £300,000 of developers’ contributions for the work wasn’t where he thought it was.

East Hampshire District Council member Rob Mocatta told him: “EHDC doesn’t have the money – South Downs National Park Authority has it.”

And as of the meeting on Friday, October 7, no-one from the county council has ever formally asked the national park for the money.

And it is unclear if the national park is aware of the project, or would release the money without formally agreeing plans.

Cllr Mocatta said he would ask the SDNPA to make the cash available.

It was also revealed HCC councillors can’t tell the council-run Highways Authority to do the safety work. Although employed by the council, HA engineers decide what jobs get done – and when.

It is understood larger projects such as the Stubbington bypass are a priority, while small projects such as Durford Road remain way down the to-do list.

Cllr Oppenheimer said: “Some safety works have been done – chevrons have been painted on the roads, among other things.”