Traffic chaos on hold as bridge repairs delayed
By Martin Chapman on Friday, 1st February 2002.
Traffic in Haverhill’s town centre will continue to move freely for six weeks after plans to close Swan Lane for “essential” work have been put back.
The announcement comes just four days before the predicted traffic chaos which would be caused by traffic diversions and lights being put in force across the town centre.
Once work begins there will be no access into the town centre via Swan Lane. Diversions will operate via Hamlet Road, Duddery Hill and Camps road. There will also be traffic lights operating in Camps Road, the junction with the Brooks Service Road and near the car park at the rear of Argos and Peacocks.
Signs are also to be put up around the diversion route, two weeks before work commences detailing traffic management measures.
Some suggestions made by town clerk Gordon Mussett have been built in to the plan after he complained about the lack of consultation regarding the scheme with the town council. Heavy goods vehicles will be banned from Crowland Road, and the traffic lights will include detectors to ensure they only change when there is traffic in Swan Lane.
Gordon Mussett after meeting with Highways officials last month said: “We are pleased they have taken up some suggestions, but it is still going to cause considerable disruption.”
Mr Mussett has also been told that the scheme will be reviewed after two weeks, and that “if there is a nightmare unfolding the scheme can be changed to cope with problems.”
Richard Murge of St Edmundsbury Borough Council Highways department said leaflets would be distributed to affected businesses closer to the time. He said: “It will cause some inconvenience but we hope to keep it to a minimum.”
The announcement comes just four days before the predicted traffic chaos which would be caused by traffic diversions and lights being put in force across the town centre.
Once work begins there will be no access into the town centre via Swan Lane. Diversions will operate via Hamlet Road, Duddery Hill and Camps road. There will also be traffic lights operating in Camps Road, the junction with the Brooks Service Road and near the car park at the rear of Argos and Peacocks.
Signs are also to be put up around the diversion route, two weeks before work commences detailing traffic management measures.
Some suggestions made by town clerk Gordon Mussett have been built in to the plan after he complained about the lack of consultation regarding the scheme with the town council. Heavy goods vehicles will be banned from Crowland Road, and the traffic lights will include detectors to ensure they only change when there is traffic in Swan Lane.
Gordon Mussett after meeting with Highways officials last month said: “We are pleased they have taken up some suggestions, but it is still going to cause considerable disruption.”
Mr Mussett has also been told that the scheme will be reviewed after two weeks, and that “if there is a nightmare unfolding the scheme can be changed to cope with problems.”
Richard Murge of St Edmundsbury Borough Council Highways department said leaflets would be distributed to affected businesses closer to the time. He said: “It will cause some inconvenience but we hope to keep it to a minimum.”
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