Road Closures Salters Lode A1122 18th October until 29th November

[Tim]

The A1122 will be closed for six weeks from the 18th October to allow of repairs of the worst sections around Salters Lode.

This particular closure will be from about half way between Nordelph and Salters Lode towards Salters Lode and a small section after the village towards Downham Market.

A diversion will be in place via the A47 but I would expect most of the traffic to come thundering down Barroway Drove, expect the repairs completed soon on the ski jump to be undone

Queries on the proposal to made to Andrew Howes on 01603 223246 or email andrew.howes@mottmac.com

Tim

[Apple]

I have emailed Mr Howes about this as I am very concerned about the damage that such an increase in traffic may cause to the area, and especially to houses, from vibration. There is also the danger that this will pose to pedestrians, by which I mean children going to and from the school bus stop, who have only a mediocre footway along parts of Barroway Drove, and none at all in Lady Drove.

The more emails he has, early on, about this from people living in the village and other affected areas the more likely they are to do something to encourage the A1122 traffic to use the correct, 'A' road diversion route and not the totally inadequate shorter route.

andrew.howes@mottmac.com

[Diligent Dick]

And of course with typical Council/ Highways Dept non-joined up thinking this is all being done in the middle of the Sugar Beet harvesting season with about 700 lorries a day converging on Wissington!
The country is being run by educated nincompoops, all brain and no sense!

[Tim]

EDP article, slightly less abridged than the one that appeared in the newspaper itself.

http://www.edp24.co.uk/content/edp24/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=NewsSplash&tBrand=EDPOnline&tCategory=xDefault&itemid=NOED03%20Sep%202010%2016%3A49%3A41%3A340

Tim

[Apple]

I find it a bit irritating that two councillors from Nordelph PC can be found to express concerns over this, yet those who are supposed to represent us, (Stow Bardolph PC), seem silent.

There can be little doubt of the need to rebuild the A1122 as anyone who has driven it will see, but there needs to be much more consideration given to disabling the village as a short cut for through traffic, and especially HGVs.

I feel certain that sat navs will show Barroway Drove/Lady Drove as a route when the A1122 is closed, and we all know how blindly people follow instructions from these units. I had a boss in a previous job who had to bring some equipment to my home in the village from Cambridge. He followed his sat nav's instructions to use the A1101 even though it was closed due to flooding at Welney, and when he arrived here he complained to me that water had almost entered his car as he drove through the flood. When I asked if the road had been closed, he said "Oh yes, but the sat nav said to go that way so I did".

Mind you, he was a bit of a plonker!

[Tim]

It's incredible how alike this article is to the one from the EDP.........

Written by a different person too, what are the chances of that. The papers are recycled before they are even printed 

http://www.cambstimes.co.uk/news/major_roadworks_will_mean_31_mile_diversion_1_625074

[Tim]

Good god there is another one.....

http://www.wisbechstandard.co.uk/news/major_roadworks_will_mean_31_mile_diversion_1_625074

Spooky 

Google Alerts are amusing sometimes when they keep dragging up the same old guff time and again.  I suppose at least everyone will now know there is a shortcut through the village, whoops!

[Apple]

At the moment, the A1067 between Norwich & Fakenham is closed while it undergoes a rebuild similar to that proposed for the A1122. The diversion route for this closure involves using the A47 & A1065, and is about 21 miles longer than the original route. (When the A1122 is closed the difference between using the A47/A10 diversion route and going through Barroway Drove will be nearer to 30 miles).

Norfolk County Council has now said that people are ignoring the diversion route between Norwick & Fakenham, causing damage in the process.

This link will take you to the story on the BBC website:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-11381088

In the event that you cannot open the link the text of the story follows:

Driver ignore road closure between Norwich and Fakenham
Drivers have been ignoring signs and travelling along a route closed for major repair work in Norfolk.

The A1067 Norwich to Fakenham road, which was damaged during the winter, shut on Monday.

Vehicles including supermarket delivery vans have been ignoring the diversion, which is 21 miles longer than the usual route, the county council said.

A council spokesman said lorries had been turning around in people's driveways damaging verges and surfaces.

Businesses in the area remain open and can be reached by asking traffic control staff at the closure gate for access, he added.

The diversion is 46 miles - compared to the normal A1067 route which is about 25 miles.

Once the closure has been lifted, work will continue using temporary traffic control.

The road should be completely clear in about two weeks, the council added.

This vindicates the fears of residents of Barroway Drove & Lady Drove, and I respectfully suggest that anyone who is still concerned about this writes again to Mr Howes, highlighting this report, which quotes NCC as its source.

Andrew Howes 01603 223246. Email andrew.howes@mottmac.com

[Apple]

There follows the text of an open letter from the contractors regarding the consultation process for traffic management during the A1122 closure......

 ========
 
Mott Mac Donald
7th Floor
County Hall
Martineau Lane
Norwich 
NR1 2US
                                                                                                                       
Tel: +44 (0)1603 767530
Fax: +44 (0) 1603 226760
W: www.mottmac.com
 
Please ask for: Andrew Howes  Your Ref:       
Contact Number: 01603 226732  My Ref: 233895SY/PT/SB/AH
 
 
 
 
Dear Sir/Madam                                                                                       30 September 2010
 
A1122  Nordelph  to  Salters Lode -   Downham Road  Carriageway Reconstruction
 
Mott MacDonald is working in partnership with The Director of Environment, Transport and
Development, Norfolk County Council on the above scheme. Further to my previous letter
dated 19th August outlining the need for carriageway reconstruction on the A1122 and the
need for the closure which would be up to 8 weeks, I can now confirm that works will begin
on the 18th October 2010. We are proposing to work extended hours, including weekends at
extra cost in an attempt to reduce this construction period to 6 weeks or by as much as
possible. This programme is dependant on contractors’ progress and weather conditions but
for updates please see the norfolk.gov.uk/roadworks website.
 
Phase 1 will require a positive road closure between the East of Nordelph Bridge (junction of
B1094) and the West of Downham Market River Bridge from the 18th October for
approximately 4 to 6 weeks, when essential bridge maintenance will also be carried out on
Nordelph Bridge under traffic signals. During this time traffic will be able to use the western
end of the A1122 and the B1094. 
 
Phase 2 will follow and require a positive road closure effectively from; Scotts Bridge in
Outwell (A1122/A1101 Isle road junction) and the West of Nordelph Bridge (junction of
B1094) starting on or about the 19th November for approximately 1 to 2 weeks, during
which time essential footway maintenance will also be carried out along Downham Road in
Outwell, the remainder of which will be carried out under traffic signals. During this time
traffic will be able to use the eastern end of the A1122 and the B1094. 
 
Following my initial consultation when fears were highlighted over the use of Barroway/Lady
Drove as an unofficial diversion route; we have put extensive effort into the programme and
looked at minimising the effect of the scheme on both A1122 through traffic and local
residential and business properties.  Temporary 7.5t weight limit and 2m width restrictions
will be in place at the entrance of Barroway Drove, Lady Drove and Highbridge Road,  which will be controlled by a Traffic Management company who will be on site to direct traffic onto the diversion route or allow limited access within the closure.
 
 
I can confirm that during the closures, vehicular access will be given to residential / business
properties and the emergency services, however at times it may only be from one direction
due to the nature of the works and the plant operating.  Signs will be erected at the closure
stating that any businesses will be open as usual. The official diversion route will be signed
(on a road of equal status), so it will be via the A1101, A47 to King’s Lynn, the A47 and then
down the A10 to Downham Market and back on the A1122 or the reverse. 
 
I can also confirm that School buses will be allowed through the Drove (unofficial diversion
route) and that all bus operators in the area will be making alternative arrangements for their
routes and stops.
 
I realise this work will cause disruption in the area for people wanting to use this length of
the A1122, but I trust this information will enable alternative travel arrangements to be made
during these works and thank you in advance for your cooperation.   
 
If you wish to discuss the proposal, please do not hesitate to contact;
Andrew Howes on 01603 223246 or email andrew.howes@mottmac.com.
or Jon Curtis on 01603 638047 or email jonathan.curtis@norfolk.gov.uk.
or see the norfolk.gov.uk/roadworks website for regular updates.
 
 
Any correspondence should be forwarded to Mott MacDonald at the above address
 
 
Yours faithfully
for Mott MacDonald Ltd
 
Mani Ghomi
Encl. 
 
 
,

[Tim]

Following my initial consultation when fears were highlighted over the use of Barroway/Lady
Drove as an unofficial diversion route; we have put extensive effort into the programme and
looked at minimising the effect of the scheme on both A1122 through traffic and local
residential and business properties.  Temporary 7.5t weight limit and 2m width restrictions
will be in place at the entrance of Barroway Drove, Lady Drove and Highbridge Road,  which will be controlled by a Traffic Management company who will be on site to direct traffic onto the diversion route or allow limited access within the closure.

Or in reality a sign on the end of the road that people probably wont even see.  Impressive on site traffic management, perhaps they are hiding in the hedges?

I've taken some surveys of the traffic before the work started.  I'll do a comparison to see how the traffic management is working, watch this space.

Tim

[5napp3r]

Have to say - loving the volume of traffic at the momen! 

How many more weeks have we got of this again?! It's unbeleiveable the amount of traffic coming through our 'VILLAGE'.

There now seems to be a constant droan of vehicles, most not sticking to the speed limit - especially one sports car driver this morning who was going way to fast, only to hit some bumps - lets just say it didnt sound to healthy! Another 4x4 driver tried to overtake and clearly didnt look before he pulled out as he had to make a dash to get back in realising something was coming straight for him!

Lets hope that this isnt going to be used as a permenant route for some thinking its quicker than their 'normal' route!

As for the 7.5 ton limit - who was supposed to be controlling this as they obviously arent doing their job! I've seen a few over this limit, and even a huge haulage lorry!

Fingers crossed it all get finished a lot quicker than we have been told!

[Apple]

I phoned Mr Howes yesterday (Mon) at about 16h45 having exchanged a few emails with him before this all started. He said that he had already had a few calls so I was not going to say any more as I assumed everything had been covered. He asked me to continue though, and I had the impression that he felt the more ammunition he had the better, as he was not impressed with what has happened so far.

He confirmed that there was supposed to be a presence, throughout the day at least, of the traffic management company at the end of Barroway Drove, Lady Drove and Highbridge Road. Indeed, there was supposed to have been a police presence too, at least on the first day.

I also mentioned the fact that the weight/width sign at the end of BD is practically impossible to see, but much more to the point the fact that 'diverted traffic' signs had been placed at the Nordelph end, and opposite LD, creating the impression that this is an approved route... exactly the opposite of what they intended!

He told me that, as we were speaking, he was actually having a meeting with certain others regarding this situation because it has clearly not gone as planned.

I decided to follow up my phone call with an email so there is a written record, and in case anyone is interested the text appears below.

I have also emailed him some photos of the signage, and some video clips, including one of an unladen, flat-bed lorry belonging to a company in Huntingdon, struggling to get out of LD and into BD. I'm not sure the driver appreciated my efforts judging from his glaring, but it is amazing what a hi-vis jacket from Poundland does for one's credibility!!

=======


18 10 10

Dear Mr Howes.

Following my phone call earlier I thought it might assist you to email the details of the situation regarding the use of Barroway Drove* (BD) and Lady Drove (LD) as a diversion route while the A1122 is closed at Salters Lode.

*NB. In its infinite wisdom, King's Lynn council (BCKLWN) has just renamed Barroway Drove as 'The Drove' (Must have taken ages to think that one up), as they have decided that Barroway Drove is the name of the village. However, in keeping with pretty well all current plans and references I will refer to the road as Barroway Drove.

1.  At the end of BD, LD and Highbridge Road (HR) there are signs indication a 7.5t and 6'6" width restriction, with the words 'police enforcement in operation'. However, there was no police presence, nor any presence of staff from the traffic management company as mentioned in your letter of 30 09 10 (Ref 233895SY/PT/SB/AH).

At the Downham Market (DM) end of the road closure, there were cones across the A1122 and some people in high vis jackets until about 16h30 but they were only controlling access to the closed section of the A1122, NOT to LD).

2.  The weight/width restriction signs have been placed at the entrance to BD, LD & HR, but there is no advanced warning at all, so drivers only see these restrictions after they have committed themselves to using that road.

3.  Approaching Nordelph along the A1122 from the direction of Wishbech/Outwell, shortly before the junction of the A1122 and BD there is a large sign giving advanced warning of the closure of the A1122 ahead, with a 'road closed' sign which is laying down nearby and not visible to traffic. Just after this however, is a 'Diversion' sign directing traffic along BD! As you approach the junction of BD & LD another 'diversion' sign directs traffic along LD.... the precise route that you wished to encourage traffic to avoid!

4.  No cones or any other installation to assist in segregating traffic from the pedestrians who have to walk in the road along LD, leaving them to take their chances with the traffic, (this is particularly worrying in the case of kids who are walking to or from the school bus stop).

I have taken some photos so you can see the situation for yourself. I also have some video clips to illustrate the problems that this increase in traffic volume has caused today. I have used a low resolution setting as detail is not important and I wished to keep the file size to a minimum. I will send these attachments in separate emails in case your system blocks their delivery, that way, if they have not arrived you will know that your IT dept will need to forward them to you.

There were 4 near-misses in the time I was taking the photos, (though none while making the video shots). If you visit the location you will see for yourself the skid marks at the end of LD, where it meets BD, caused by a lorry whose driver clearly did not expect to encounter the junction.

I am certain, from what you told me on the phone, that you will be taking steps to correct these errors, but what worries me is that a precedent has now been set and all those who 'took a chance' today, (and there were plenty), will use this route for the next 8 weeks, doubtless encouraged by it having been signposted as a diversion route.

Many thanks for your assistance with this situation.




Van turning from the A1122 into BD. As you can see, the first notification of the weight/width restriction is right at the end of the road, so you only see it when it is all too late (assuming you see it at all as you negotiate the junction).


Diversion sign sending traffic from BD along LD, to return to the A1122. Note the very poor visibility at this location.




Better view of the diversion sign. BD is just beyond that plantation of concrete hydrant-type signs, which is also the location of the weight/width restriction sign, which you cannot read until it is too late.


So much for that sign then!  Note also the degree to which lorries cross to the wrong side of the road due to the width


Approaching junc of A1122 & BD from Wisbech/Outwell. Although you cannot see it there is a 'road closed' sign lying down here too. Note the 'Diverted traffic' sign sending traffic down BD.

[Tim]

Forgive me for editing Apple's post but I added the photos sent over to Mr Howes.

Tim

[Apple]

No problem at all Tim... thanks for adding the photos.

As there has been no change today (Tues), I tried phoning NCC again but was told that 'Elvis had left the building', (about 16h00). I was promised, (twice), that a manager would call me back to discuss this situation after their meeting had finished, but as you can doubtless guess that promise was broken.

I popped into the DM police station earlier in the afternoon, (it closes at 16h00 most days), to complain to them about the fact that vehicles over the 7.5t / 6'6" restriction, (those which do NOT need access to businesses or addresses in the village) were routinely ignoring the prohibition signs. Naturally, being the police they said that it was a highways matter. This is simply not the case if a driver is ignoring a prohibition sign, (that's what the red circle is for after all!). I also showed the civvy desk clerk a short piece of video of lorries to prove the point.... she noted the details on a scrap of paper and said she would pass them on to Insp Bates whose shift would start at 16h00. Whether the police will do anything I do not know, as I have had no call from him.

We may reach a point where some 'direct action' is needed.... I do not mean attacking people or anything like that of course, just perhaps, parking our vehicles on the road outside our homes instead of on the drives... Or maybe I am not thinking straight thanks to the interruption to my sleep from the road noise?!

[5napp3r]

With you on the disruption to sleep! And animals - ours are on edge due to the noise and cant settle properly. However I wouldnt want to park my car outside my house for fear of others speeding past and knocking a wing mirror or crashing into it!

I had a (rather childish!) thought that all residents could have a smiley face 'sticker' in the front and rear car windows. If we are driving and if see this in the car infront/ behind then we can continue to drive at 'normal' speed, if not then we slow right down!

Or we could hire lots of farmers to drive extra big tractors extra slow...
And cover the road with mud...
Or get all the horse riders out...
Or people walking their dogs...

 Hehe - its amazing what a lack of sleep does to the brain!