Traffic is Whiteley's biggest issue, says neighbourhood police team

2.45.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 22nd Oct 2008

Liz Leffman, Prospective Lib Dem MP for Meon Valley, visited the newly established police beat surgery in Whiteley today, and spent an hour on the beat with the neighbourhood team, PC Anna Weald and PCSO Owen Reeves.

According to PC Weald and PCSO Reeves, the biggest issue in Whiteley is traffic and speeding, particularly on Leafy Lane, a residential street that is used by frustrated drivers as a way of avoiding heavy traffic congestion on Whiteley Way.

"This is no surprise" said Liz, "Whiteley is a lovely place to live, but the traffic situation causes a lot of aggravation, and it is residents in East Whiteley who have to bear the brunt of cars trying to escape from the gridlock every morning and evening."

Liz Leffman recently presented a petition to Hampshire County Council, asking them to consider opening up the main distributor roads to traffic.

The Whiteley beat surgery takes place at the Meadowside Centre every Wednesday and similar beat surgeries are starting in other parts of Meon Valley, including Wickham.