Since the very first Parish Council Minutes, the condition of the roads through the village have been of major concern to Councillors.
December 12th 1898
“A resolution was passed that the clerk write to the District Council calling their attention to the filthy condition of the roads and footpaths in Froyle viz at Ryebridge and Husseys Lane, also that the heaps of dirt be removed from the sides of the roads being dangerous for public travelling.”
Then along came the motor car!
September 14th 1903
“The business of the meeting was the consideration of the reduction of speed with regard to the Motor Act of 1903 and the safety of the public through certain parts and places of the Parish of Froyle and the setting up of signposts denoting such dangerous corners and precipitous places. The meeting having been called by the District Council through a letter received from the County Council. The Parish council felt that rates of speed should be reduced through the parish for safety of public on such narrow roads which in some parts measured only from 12 to 14 feet in width. The Parish Council recommended that danger boards should be erected at the Hen & Chicken, Quarry Bottom, the crossroads by Highway leading to Isington and Froyle and in various places through Lower Froyle which was especially dangerous at such times of Motor traffic. A letter to this effect was sent to the District Council for their perusal.”Almost 100 years later letters are still being written to the District Council about the dangers of motor traffic!
On the subject of road signing, it is heartwarming to read that those early Councillors had got their priorities right!
March 23rd 1908
“Necessity of finger post at Blundens (I think he means Hadwick’s) corner, Lower Froyle, leading to the Prince of Wales.”
Complaints about the state of the roads through the village appear every year, but in 1930 they are particularly bad, “following laying of electric light cable.“
By the way, it is interesting to note that, in the Minutes of the 1935 Parish Council Meetings, Bamber Lane is known as “Bambrous Lane”.
November 11th 1937
“Col.Greville suggested man should be employed permanently on roads of Froyle to clear up litter and keep ditches in order. A 30 mile an hour speed limit or white line asked for in Lower Froyle - driving being considered dangerous to the public at present. “
December 10th 1946
“Clerk instructed to write to County Surveyor pointing out that warning signs should be placed at the entrances to the village, owing to the narrow and winding nature of the roads.”
March 13th 1947
“Flooding Lower Froyle still problem. Clerk instructed to write to the effect that “the time has come when something really must be done.”
In December 1959 a Meeting was held regarding the proposed new layout of the A31 and its effects on the parish. “Mr.Butler concerned that cattle have to cross road at Hen & Chicken. Mr.Lowy raised problem of possible flooding at Coldrey Underpass but was assured this would not be a problem.” Mr.Lowy knew what he was talking about - that underpass has flooded to this day!
June 1st 1966
“Mrs.Emery asked if names could be given to various roads in the village. Clerk to write to Alton RDC.”
In November the go-ahead was given for name plates for Hussey’s Lane, Park Lane, and Bamber Lane.
July 30th 1975
“It was decided that the roads from Anchor P.H. to Copse Hill Farm, Prince of Wales to Well and roads from Westburn Fields to West End Farm be declared a Black Spot Area.”
December 6th 1989
“Mr.Chris Booth had handed the traffic survey which he has prepared to the County Councillor, Mr.Andreae, who thinks we have grounds for a lorry ban through the village.”
April 25th 1990
“Annual Parish Meeting - Anxiety was expressed about the volumes and speed of traffic through the village. “
July 25th 1990
Concern expressed by Council and residents following Quarry contract resulting in 183 lorry movements a day through Lower Froyle.
September 18th 1991
Mr.Alan Giles, HCC’s Project Manager addressed the meeting re Bentley Bypass.
November 25th 1993
“Work was now proceeding on construction of the Bentley Bypass. A public presentation had been given in Bentley Memorial Hall on 12th Nov.’93, which only by chance had we heard about. The Chairman had attended and made known our feelings about the lack of consultation.”