The Hampshire County Council's Executive Lead Member for Universal Services Decision Day and Executive Member for Highways and Passenger Transport Decision Day convened on Monday, 22 September 2025, to discuss and make decisions on the Hampshire Countryside Access Plan and Traffic Regulation Orders for car parks in Silchester and Danebury Hillfort. Councillor Kirsty North, Executive Lead Member for Universal Services, approved the adoption of the Draft Countryside Access Plan 2025–2035. Councillor Lulu Bowerman, Executive Member for Highways and Passenger Transport, approved the implementation of Traffic Regulation Orders for Wall Lane, Silchester car park and Danebury Hillfort car park, introducing off-street chargeable parking at both locations.

Hampshire Countryside Access Plan

Councillor Kirsty North approved the adoption of the Draft Countryside Access Plan 2025–2035, effective from 1 October 2025. She also delegated authority to the Director of Universal Services to make minor presentational amendments to the plan, in consultation with her.

The decision was made to comply with the council's statutory duties under Section 60 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000[^2], which mandates highway authorities to prepare and review a Rights of Way Improvement Plan every ten years. The existing Countryside Access Plan serves as the statutory Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Hampshire County Council.

The council says that the updated Countryside Access Plan 2025–2035 supports Hampshire County Council's Strategic Plan by:

• promoting sustainable economic growth through enhanced access to the countryside
• encouraging active lifestyles that support health and independence
• protecting and enriching Hampshire's diverse natural environment
• fostering inclusive communities through improved connectivity and engagement with local green spaces

The plan is intended to work alongside the Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4), and has links with the Public Health Strategy, Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs), Local Nature Recovery Strategy and Inclusion Strategy.

Maintaining the existing Countryside Access Plan 2015–2025 without revision was considered but rejected because it was seen as outdated and not reflective of the evolving needs of Hampshire's communities, changes in national policy, or the latest insights from stakeholders. Postponing the adoption of the updated Plan was also considered but discounted, as it would limit the County Council's ability to guide countryside access improvements strategically, reduce opportunities for external funding, and weaken alignment with the County Council's current strategic priorities.

Wall Lane, Silchester Car Park Traffic Regulation Order

Councillor Lulu Bowerman approved the making of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for Wall Lane, Silchester car park, introducing off-street chargeable parking. She also delegated authority to the Director of Universal Services to implement the decision.

Introducing charging at rural countryside car parking sites was a proposal included in the 2024 Future Services Consultation. Following what the council described as positive feedback (with 53% of respondents agreeing to the introduction of charges at rural countryside car parks with 20 or more spaces), the council's cabinet approved the proposal on 14 October 2024. The council has stated that income from the charges will be used to maintain the car park and countryside sites owned by Hampshire County Council.

The option of offering an initial free period of parking was rejected because it would not generate the revenue required to cover the cost of operating and enforcing the scheme.

Danebury Hillfort Car Park Traffic Regulation Order

Councillor Lulu Bowerman approved the making of a Traffic Regulation Order for Danebury Hillfort car park, introducing off-street chargeable parking. She also delegated authority to the Director of Universal Services to implement the decision.

As with the Silchester car park, introducing charging at rural countryside car parking sites was a proposal included in the 2024 Future Services Consultation, and the council says that it received positive feedback in the consultation process (with 53% of respondents agreeing to the introduction of charges at rural countryside car parks with 20 or more spaces). The council's cabinet approved the proposal on 14 October 2024, and the council has stated that income from the charges will be used to maintain the car park and countryside sites owned by Hampshire County Council.

The option of offering an initial free period of parking was rejected because it would not generate the revenue required to cover the cost of operating and enforcing the scheme.