Herts Highways to limit planned roadworks in Bishop's Stortford as Affinity Water works at Hockerill causes traffic chaos
Highways officers are looking to limit the number of planned roadworks in Bishop's Stortford due to "concerns raised" - but have reiterated they cannot plan for emergency works.
Cllr Graham McAndrew, the Herts County Council member for the Bishop's Stortford Rural division and the deputy executive member for highways and transport, responded to a query from the Indie on work at the Hockerill junction and outlined future works in the town.
Temporary four-way signals at Hockerill – which links London Road, Dunmow Road, Stansted Road and Hockerill Street – which were set up at the weekend have caused traffic chaos, with one mum reporting she had to let her son out to walk to school on Monday morning (Nov 28).
Cllr McAndrew said: "Affinity Water erected emergency temporary traffic signals over the weekend... to repair a water leak. These signals are unfortunately still in operation, but we are working to have these removed as soon as possible."
He said the planned closure on Hazelend Road is part of a wider project to enable Thames Water to install a new connection in association with Avanti Meadows Primary School and the St Michael's Hurst development and are due to be ongoing until the new year. In advance of approving the works, Essex County Council was contacted and agreed to the proposed diversion route and the dates this would be in operation.
Cllr McAndrew added: "In light of recent concerns raised to HCC regarding the co-ordination of roadworks in Bishop's Stortford, they have revisited all planned works and have looked to re-coordinate works were necessary.
"Network Management are looking to limit even further the number of planned roadworks sites on the network at any one time. They unfortunately cannot plan for emergency works and will continue to respond accordingly to emergency works on the network."
CURRENT and FUTURE WORKS in BISHOP'S STORTFORD
Location: Hazelend Road from Michaels Road to Gipsy Lane
Dates: November 14 to December 18
Traffic management: 24/7 rolling road closure
Description: Thames Water mains installation works in association with Avanti Meadows
More information: To reduce disruption, the closure will be restricted to small sections to maintain access for residents and businesses either side of the closure.
Location: Stansted Road, between the junctions of All Saints Close and Kingsmead Road
Dates: Monday November 28 to Thursday December 1
Traffic management: Two-way signals 9.30am to 4pm
Description: UK Power Networks installing new customer connection
More information: All activities, including traffic management, restricted to 9.30am-4pm to minimise disruption during peak hours. The duration of works has been reduced from five days to four.
Location: Dane Street (junction with The Causeway / Hockerill Street), Station Road (junction with Dane Street), London Road
Date: Friday December 2
Traffic management: Multi-way signals from 9.30am to 3.30pm, manually controlled at all times
Description: Ringway carrying out signpost installation works associated with South Mill Arts centre
More information: Consecutive working will be carried out on all sites so there will be only one set of temporary traffic lights in force at any one time.
Location: Northgate End
Dates: Monday December 5 to Friday December 9
Traffic management: 24/7 two-way signals from 8am to 6.30pm, manually controlled at all times
Description: UK Power Networks installing new customer connections and disconnection / reconnection of street lighting columns
More information: Extended working hours have been agreed with UKPN in order to reduce duration of works.