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