RESIDENTS have thanked the council for acting after a nine-year campaign to make a residential street safe for its inhabitants – but have also stressed that the work is not quite over yet.

A new footpath and working streetlights were recently installed in the Old Creamery, an offshoot of Charlton Road near the railway bridge.

Lance Mitchell, along with other residents, had been pushing for the work to be undertaken since 2011, and says he and others in the area are delighted that the area has been made safer.

They are hopeful of using the momentum to address further issues in the area, but first have thanked all those involved with latest works.

Lance told the Advertiser: “They have done a brilliant job and I am extremely happy that, at last, we have a safe footpath with excellent street lighting.

“I am not alone. Residents of Dairy Court and The Old Creamery and workers from the CIL factory have all been expressing their gratitude that the area has been made a lot safer.”

Lance had previously told the Advertiser of the dangers of the road, which up until now had remained unfinished and unlit.

As well as posing a trip hazard, residents - including families with young children and pushchairs - had to walk in the middle of the road to get past.

But he says families he has spoken to are already feeling safer, adding: “A young mother from Dairy Court told me that her daughter had suffered from injuries sustained in trips on the previously rocky, dark pathway. She now feels a lot safer.”

Other residents are similarly grateful but have pointed out that there are other issues to be addressed.

Richard Whitehead offered his thanks to those at the council who made the improvements possible, but says parking remains an problem – especially amongst commuters who use it for the train station.

Richard said: “They see this as free parking and having parked for the day walk to the station saving many hundreds of pounds annually in parking fees to the detriment of residents and employees alike.

“I am sure as residents we would be more than happy to get involved with all parties to find a mutually beneficial solution.”

So too is Lance, who stood as the Green Party candidate for North West Hampshire at the 2019 General Election, hopeful of bringing about one more change to the area.

He would like to see the street renamed after former Test Valley Mayor Rod Bailey, not only to honour the former councillor of 28 years but to address ongoing problems with deliveries to addresses in the street.

“Now that the work’s been done, wouldn’t it be nice to dedicate this road to a renowned and well-respected citizen?” He said.