Hampshire mum calls out council over school run pavement row

Michaela Masterson has slammed Hampshire County Council for not installing pavements on Beeches Hill in Bishop's Waltham despite pleading with the authority to make it safer for pedestrians.

She said: “It’s terrifying – no one does the speed limit. We regularly see drivers doing speeds of more than 50 and 60 miles per hour. It gets used like a racetrack."

During Christmas of last year, the Bishop's Waltham resident was diagnosed with schizophrenia.

The 30-year-old's current medication can cause patients to get drowsy – meaning it is unsafe for her to drive her car.

This meant that Michaela and her two children, Olive aged two and five-year-old Benjamin, have to walk on the edge of the narrow country lane, which has poor visibility.

Beeches Hill in Bishops Waltham is a narrow road with high bushes either side (Image: Google Street View)

She said: “We feel so scared we have even brought a number of high visibility jackets and fluorescent gear so drivers can see us as clearly as possible.

“What is even worse is that the road is very uneven and full of potholes making it even more treacherous for us to walk twice a day.

“As we are now in the winter months there is also a lot of wet leaves and sludge in the road also adding to the danger."

• Mum 'terrified' as kids forced to cross 'racetrack' to get to school

After Michaela asked Hampshire County Council to add a pavement, she was told they would not do it.

She said: "We were told it was not applicable as there have not been any injuries or fatalities – if that’s the measure then I don’t feel safe at all.”

In response to this, a spokesperson from Hampshire County Council said: "We are aware of the query relating to Beeches Hill and will be responding directly to the resident in due course.

"Any reported concerns residents have relating to road safety will be assessed in line with the County Council’s usual procedures, including how taking any measures would reduce and prevent accidents."