HHRA Update 5 February 2026

Food waste collections

Food waste collections by Fareham Borough Council (FBC) will start on 30 March and, prior to that, we shall all receive a small compost-type bin to collect kitchen waste indoors and a larger bin into which it can be put for weekly collection.  (Obviously, if you already compost all your peelings etc, just carry on as normal).

The best place to read up about this is the FBC website: www.fareham.gov.uk: go onto the section headed Waste Collection or Get Ready for Food Waste Collection.

Dog walking on the seafront

As we all know, the regulations covering dog walking, access, bird protection etc are very variable along the two ends of Hill Head seafront and are very confusing for dog walkers. In the east, you must have your dog on a lead at all times and dogs may not go on the beach from Salterns to Monks Hill from 1 April to 30 September.  In the west, for the short stretch of beach in front of the Cliff Road beach huts, dogs may not go on the beach from 1 October to 31 March, to allow over wintering birds to feed in peace.  Apart from that – from Salterns to the beginning of the Cliff Road beach huts and from the end of the beach huts westward along Meon Shore, there are no restrictions at any time (other than the common sense of dog walkers, we hope, not allowing their dogs to chase feeding birds).

The Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) setting out the restrictions is currently being reviewed and is out for consultation until 2 March: Let's Talk Dog Control https://share.google/IUbIE2Qs5p2rBevg1

Do consider responding.

Meanwhile, three of your committee members have met with the FBC Community Safety Officer and then walked the two halves of the seafront with one of her staff members to look at the vast number of signs, many old and decaying, some not easily visible, some quite confusing…. The FBC officer agreed that, irrespective of the outcome of the consultation (above) considerable clarification and rationalisation was needed.

Warnings re locksmiths

You may have seen the article on the BBC News website about the appalling overcharging from some locksmiths. The following wise advice is offered:

• Find a locksmith in advance of actually needing one, so you aren't left searching the internet and calling potentially rogue locksmiths in your hour of need.

• Find companies using the local authority-run buywithconfidence scheme, or those vetted by established trade associations such as the MLA, or the UK Locksmith Association.

• Ask for clear pricing. A trusted locksmith should be transparent from the start about costs. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

• Don't rely on reviews that you see online. Scam companies often have incredibly well-funded websites, and spend a lot of money on advertising so they show up at the top of internet searches. They also use fake or purchased reviews.

Flood warnings

We have had much less experience of flooding that many other areas, but locations as close as Wallington have had problems in recent weeks, so it is always wise to be prepared.  Below are links to the government service providing flood alerts and the water industry advice page.  Well worth a read.

https://www.gov.uk/get-flood-warnings

https://thefloodhub.co.uk/household/

M27 and A32 closures

We have received the following information from HCC and National Highways:

Please be advised that overnight works will take place at M27 Junction 10 in February. Lanes 2 and 3 will be closed to allow for the installation of a new gantry sign. At least one lane will remain open at all times, and westbound traffic will be unaffected. The works form part of the ongoing improvements to M27 Junction 10.

During these works, the M27 Junction 10 eastbound on‑slip will also be closed to assist with the North Hill Junction upgrade scheme which is being led by the developer, Welborne. 

Details of the traffic management

• Permitted working hours - Thursday 19 February 9pm to Friday 20 February 6am

• M27 J10 eastbound entry slip road closure heading towards Fareham / Portsmouth. Please see the diversion route.

Please note:

• signed diversion routes will be in place

• motorists are advised to plan their journeys accordingly and allow extra time

• the works are weather dependent and may need to be re-arranged at short notice in the event of adverse weather.

In addition, Southern Gas Networks will be undertaking work to divert a gas pipe requiring some changes to traffic management on the A32 Wickham Road. For the safety of the operatives and the road users, temporary traffic lights will be in place day and night between Monday 23 February to 7 March. The traffic lights will be manually controlled from 6:30am until 7pm.

Road users are advised to plan their journeys accordingly and allow extra time for travel

Blue Lamp Trust – Safe Online Scheme

We have received an update from Hampshire Constabulary on a scheme we have covered before, but which bears repeating:

Safe Online is a completely free service offered by the Blue Lamp Trust across Hampshire.

Our trained, police-vetted volunteer advisers visit homes to deliver practical, easy-to-understand online safety advice. We help people protect themselves from scams, fraud, identity theft and other threats to their digital security.

During each visit or session, our advisers will:

·        Explain what online scams, fraud and phishing look like

·        Help check and adjust privacy and security settings

·        Show how to spot suspicious emails, texts or calls

·        Offer guidance on safe passwords, software updates and antivirus tools

·        Signpost additional support and resources

·        Advise how to report incidents

·       Available to adults in Hampshire who meet at least one of these criteria:

·       Over 60

·       Living with a disability

·       A past victim of online fraud or cyber-enabled crime

For more information, to request a visit or to make a referral for someone you know visit  https://www.bluelamptrust.org.uk/safe-online/

Haven Visitor Centre

You may have noticed that, at last, the work to provide a new HCC Visitor Centre for Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve has begun: it will be by the entrance to Harbourside café and nursery and the first signs of building work have appeared.  I am sure that the staff and all visitors to the Reserve will be very glad when it moves from the yard at the back of the site!

HHRA Update 25 January 2026

Closure of Meon Road

It seems that Meon Road may be closed again for one day on Wednesday 28 January.  Keep an eye open for signs.

Live Longer Better classes

Fareham have reminded us that the Live Longer Better classes have been taking place for 7 months and have been very well received by those attending them. Following grant funding from Hampshire County Council last year, Fareham Borough Council teamed up with Everyone Active to offer those aged over 55 the chance to experience a range of physical activity sessions in community locations across the borough.

Classes are £5 per session and have been arranged to take place in the heart of communities that are currently lacking these opportunities, to make them as accessible as possible. Classes on offer are:

• Seated yoga - Wednesdays at 12.30pm at the Sarisbury Green Social Club in Park Gate

• Falls prevention - Wednesdays at 1:30pm at Broadlaw Community Centre in the Fort Fareham Ward

• Low impact dance - Thursdays at 10.45am at Hill Park WI in Fareham Park 

To sign up, please contact Everyone Active on 01329 233652, or visit Holly Hill or Fareham Leisure Centres.

An interesting experience

One of our members told me of an ‘interesting’ experience he had the other evening. His IT alert system showed that a man was settling down in the porch outside his front door: it was about 8pm and he was equipped with large amounts of cardboard and a sleeping bag.  Our member rang the police on 101 who attended promptly and took the man – and his cardboard and sleeping bag – away.  This is a reminder always to ring the police on either 999 for an emergency or 101 for something slightly less urgent: it is never a waste of time.

Hampshire Alert

You may find the latest Crime Prevention Bulletin of interest.  I had not seen the HCC Driver Skills  60+ scheme before: this is a free, 90 minute assessment of the driving skills of older drivers, with a confidential report at the conclusion. (I have made a mental note to self….)

https://members.hampshirealert.co.uk/AlertMessage/Attachment/4B29A8E3D82FEBA3B76B1B03A3BAFF31

Consultation by FBC on budget for the coming year

Fareham are inviting comments on the decisions they must make regarding the coming year’s budget. It is open until 9 February:

https://online1.snapsurveys.com/6w0cru

Local elections

It has now been confirmed that elections will be held for Fareham and Hampshire councillors on 7 May 2026.

Members’ meetings for 2026

I am glad to report that we now have speakers for all three of our meetings in 2026:

·       Monday 2 March 7.30pm AGM and Joanne Young, Chair of GAFIRS

·       Monday 6 July 7pm Councillor Lulu Bowerman and colleagues, to describe the Great M27 Junction 10 Underpass Project (please note earlier starting time)

·       Monday 5 October 7.30pm Paul Edwards, project manager for the Osborne View rebuild

Subscriptions

Many thanks to those who paid their £3 after my reminder in the last Update. There are still 100 of our members who have not yet paid.  We know that some will have standing orders scheduled for the coming weeks, but that is a very small number. We really would like to hear from those who have not yet paid and here is a reminder of how you can do so:

Membership cost is £3 per household. Subscriptions may be paid by online transfer to: Sort code 30-98-97 Account No : 74507262 Account  Name: Hill Head Residents’ Association Reference Info: Name of Member   Alternatively, subscriptions may be paid (cash or cheque payable to Hill Head Residents’ Association) to the Membership Secretary, 53 Knights Bank Road, Hill Head, PO14 3HZ

HHRA Update 18 January 2026

Subscriptions

Many thanks to the 40% of our members who have paid their subscription for this year. For the remaining 60%, you may be certain you have a standing order in place for the coming weeks, which is good….. but for anyone who does not have a standing order in place and has not yet paid, please may I encourage you to do so.  Our membership secretary would dearly like to get this done and dusted before the end of the month.  A reminder of how to pay:

Membership cost is £3 per household. Subscriptions may be paid by online transfer to: Sort code 30-98-97 Account No : 74507262 Account  Name: Hill Head Residents’ Association Reference Info: Name of Member   Alternatively, subscriptions may be paid (cash or cheque payable to Hill Head Residents’ Association) to the Membership Secretary, 53 Knights Bank Road, Hill Head, PO14 3HZ 

Osborne View update

I attended the monthly meeting with the project management team for the Osborne View rebuild on 13 January.  There was the usual ‘construction industry shutdown’ for a couple of weeks over Christmas and new year but they are now back in action, although somewhat hampered by the freezing then wet weather.  About two-thirds of the concrete has been poured, with the remaining 200 cubic metres still needed to provide the base for the massive crane.

If you are reading this before Monday 19^th, please be aware that another 35 ton machine will be delivered down Giblet Ore and along the beach on Monday. Never a dull moment in Hill Head…

The planned closure of the road to allow delivery of the crane will now take place in early March, not February.   Installation of the steel frame can then proceed.

A complex process is needed to finalise the retaining wall against and below the road.  They have received planning consent to move the terrace 500mm further forward to accommodate the stronger – and therefore thicker – piles which are part of that process.  They have curved the ‘wings’ further round the terrace so that they remain more or less in the original position.

Just as an aside – we know that the contractor will resurface Giblet Ore, the slope leading down to the beach, as the construction work is completed.  I mentioned to Pal Hayre the very wet conditions that arise whenever there is rain, with water pouring down Giblet Ore from Hill Head Road and pooling on the footpath to the right of the bollards.  This has always been a problem and is nothing to do with the construction, but it would seem sensible if the council could carry out any necessary work to manage drainage at the same time as Turvey Construction are addressing the road surface.  We looked at it together and agreed that the footpath is almost certainly the responsibility of Fareham Borough Council (with the road at Giblet Ore being Hampshire County Council).  Councillor Hayre undertook to liaise as appropriate so that conversations and planning could take place.

 Closure of Meon Road

In my last Update I mentioned the planned closure for two days of Meon Road on 19 and 20 January (re-opening overnight).  I see the current signs refer to the closure being two days from 20 January, ie one days later.  As advised, please keep an eye open for signs nearer the date.

Overnight parking of camper vans Cliff Road

Councillor Pal Hayre has told me she has again discussed this with both Hampshire County Council and Fareham Borough Council.  Regrettably, the only suggestion that can be offered is to be sure to photograph any obvious environmental nuisance (eg dumping of waste), with details of the van in question and report it to FBC.

Incidentally, if you should see vans camping overnight in any of the car parks – including Meon Shore – that is explicitly against the rules and FBC should be notified as they need to enforce those rules.  Sadly, no such rules exist for Cliff Road, where parking is the responsibility of HCC (I hope you are following me….).

Members’ meeting and AGM

A reminder that our next meeting is on Monday 2 March 7.30pm at the catholic church hall Bells Lane, when we shall have our brief AGM and then hear from GAFIRS – Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service.  Papers for the AGM will be circulated in early February.

With all good wishes