HHRA Update 11 December 2025

Osborne View

Following several weeks of managing awful conditions on the site, it is finally time to start pouring concrete.  Starting today, there will be 50 cubic metres of concrete installed by a concrete pump at beach level.  It will be delivered by lorry and there will be a great many lorries going down the Giblet Ore slope between now and the Christmas break.  You have been warned....

M27 closure

Speaking of Christmas breaks: do not forget the M27 closure between junctions 9 and 11 from the evening of 24 December to morning of 4 January.  The A 27 will be very full and very slow.

Missing parcels and Christmas safety

There has been a lot of publicity about poor parcel deliveries and I am grateful to one of our members who provided the following article from Saga: https://www.saga.co.uk/money-news/lost-or-stolen-parcels 

There is also an excellent article on Hampshire Alert about remaining safe over Christmas.  A further reminder of the website, where you can join very easily and receive emails direct: www.hampshirealert.co.uk 

If you are accustomed to reporting fraud via Action Fraud, please note that it has now changed to Report Fraud: https://s-url.co/6bAoAA

Strategic Mayoral Authorities and related matters

You may have picked up that the introduction of elected mayors for Strategic Authorities has been delayed from 2026 to 2028.  HHRA is not privy to the thinking of government about this, but we assume it is the obvious logic that it makes sense to introduce any changes to local authority structures (ie moving to larger unitary authorities) at the same time as electing mayors and setting up Strategic Authorities consisting of the new local authorities: on the previous timescale, the Strategic Authorities would have pre-dated local government re-structuring by two years. 

Should you find yourselves in need of a little light reading, the following may be useful:   https://www.gov.uk/government/news/more-homes-and-improved-high-streets-for-new-mayoral-areas-through-30-year-funding-package

Next members' meeting and AGM

Do make sure it is in your 2026 diaries or calendars: 7.30pm Monday 2 March AGM and GAFIRS.

HHRA Update 1 December 2025

M27 closure 8pm 24 December to 4am 4 January

Another reminder about the prolonged closure of the M27 from junctions 9 to 11 to enable major work to be carried out to the access at junction 10.   You will need to take it into account for journeys that you – or your families and friends – may be planning for the Christmas and new year period.  The A27 will be inevitably moving slowly.

Winter fuel payment scam

Action Fraud has received 2,790 crime reports relating to Winter Fuel Payment scams, with victims reporting losses totalling over £27,000.

Winter Fuel Payments are made automatically, you do not need to do anything. If you receive any text messages about Winter Fuel Payments, it’s a scam.

Consultation about local government re-organisation and town centre redevelopment 10 – 12pm Saturday  6 December Civic Centre Fareham

You are invited to book for this event and are advised it will consist of a video and short presentation from the Council; a live exhibition showcasing local projects and initiatives- including a look at a 3D Model supporting the Town Centre Regeneration; and an open question and answer session.

Residents can book their place to the event via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lets-talk-fareham-the-story-so-far-and-whats-next-tickets-1963215963796?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurlor or by contacting the consultation team at consultation@fareham.gov.uk 01329 236100.

You may have noticed that the documents setting out the proposals can also be viewed at Stubbington library.

Local transport plan consultation

Have your say on the future of transport in Fareham and Gosport. The council is inviting residents to take part in the Fareham and Gosport Transport Strategy Consultation, open to Sunday 21 December 2025.

It sets out an Action Plan for investment in transport across Fareham and Gosport, looking ahead to 2050, with plans for all forms of transport including improving walking, cycling, road, rail, and ferry travel.   You can find all the information and take part here: https://www.hants.gov.uk/aboutthecouncil/haveyoursay/consultations/fareham-and-gosport-transport-strategy

Members’ meeting and AGM 7.30pm 2 March 2026

As you start filling your calendars for the coming year, please make sure our next meeting is inked in.  We will have our AGM and a talk from Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS) on Monday 2 March at the Catholic church hall Bells Lane.

Papers for the AGM will be circulated in early January.  Our membership secretary will be in touch in the new year about payment of subscriptions.  You do not need to do anything until you hear from her.

HHRA Update 5 November 2025

Osborne View

As you may have observed, work on the Osborne View site resumed a couple of weeks ago. We have today had the monthly meeting with the project team and they now have a project plan showing building completion in October 2026; after that, of course, there will need to be time for furniture and fittings, staff training etc. Whether it will be open before Christmas must remain uncertain.

There will be a further road closure in February to allow for the installation of the huge crane and the delivery of the materials which will then need to be lifted down onto the site.  The crane base is now surrounded by eight additional piles to add to the stability.

A planning application will be submitted as the shape of the building is very slightly changed as a result of the thicker piles which had to be used at the cliff side of the site.

Cliff Road promenade

We have been very concerned about the state of the promenade below Cliff Road and are grateful to Councillor Steve Dugan for seeking to secure the interest of Councillor Bastable, executive member for Streetscene.  No agreement has so far been possible about whether or how to remove the paint damage. (My suggestion is a working party on hands and knees, with buckets of water and wire brushes…)

Consultation on master plan for Fareham town centre

First of all, may I commend to you the latest edition of Fareham Today which you should be receiving either in paper copy or online.   There is a lot of very interesting and relevant information in it.

The item I particularly want to highlight is the forthcoming consultation on the master plan for the regeneration of Fareham town centre.  Details of how to see the plans and to comment are set out below https://www.fareham.gov.uk/latest_news/pressrelease/pr_20251031_1  It will run from 15 November to 15 December.

HCC consultation on budget for next two years

Both Hampshire County Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner are seeking view on budget decisions.  HCC has a particularly challenging situation with the increasing demands for services which they are obliged by law to provide for older people, disabled people and children.

The HCC consultation is at: https://hampshirecc.welcomesyourfeedback.net/2025-budget-consultation and is open until Sunday 7 December.

The Police and Crime Commissioner consultation is at: https://survey.alchemer.eu/s3/90958462/Precept-2026-27  and is open until Tuesday 2 December

Bins

My apologies that I did not get this reminder round to you before this week’s bin collections – I was waiting for today’s Os View meeting and many of you, I know, have had problems with changed arrangements.

You will have received a letter explaining about changes in bin collections: a new schedule is on the back of the letter.  If still in doubt, go to www.fareham.gov.uk and click on Your bin days may be changing  and then, in the second paragraph, click on You can check what your collections will be from that date [3 November] by using our postcode checker. If in doubt, put out both bins!  The garden waste collection (brown top bin) is unchanged.

Car safety

One of our members has warned us of men seen trying car door handles in late evening – they have been observed in Berkeley Close, Cottes Way and Carisbrooke Avenue but of course it may be more widespread. Hampshire Alert, which I have recommended to you several times in recent weeks (www.hampshirealert.co.uk) has included a similar warning.  Do ensure your cars are safely locked.

Hampshire Alert also included a helpful recent warning about securing your personal data.  It really is worth joining.

M27 closure over Christmas and new year

Major work will be carried out at junction 10 of the M27 to create a four way junction.  This is in part to serve the new development at Welborne.

·       The M27 will be closed completely, in both directions, between Junctions 9 (Whiteley) and 11 (Fareham), from 8pm, 24 December 2025 to 4am on Sunday 4 January 2026.

·       There will be a signed diversion route in place along the A27, which is mostly two lanes in each direction, during the closure. This route is expected to be busy, particularly between 10am and 4pm every day when drivers should be prepared for extended delays. Road users should aim to plan their journey in advance and consider alternatives including public transport, travelling during less busy times, using different routes, or considering if their journey is really necessary.  

·       Drivers will be able to exit the M27 westbound at Junction 11 for Fareham and Gosport, and eastbound at Junction 9 for Whiteley and Park Gate. However, there will be no westbound entry to the M27 at Junction 11 for traffic heading towards Southampton or the A32 (Alton), and no eastbound entry at Junction 9 for traffic heading towards Portsmouth.