Cllr Sarah Hands.
This afternoon I had a meeting with the area highways manager, traffic manager and Cllrs Sarah Sawyer (Longlevens) and Stewart Dove (Churchdown) regarding the plethora of road works crossing our three areas.
The traffic manager has confirmed that following our interventions the following actions have been taken. Although these are not the perfect solution they should help to ease the pain that we have seen and experienced over the last two days with school run times in particular.
DOWN HATHERLEY:
Traffic managers visited the site on Down Hatherley lane to see if it was possible to have a different system rather than a full closure. Unfortunately as the work is being carried out in the middle of the carriageway, this is not possible. It does mean that the road will be closed until 12th September. However there are more road closures needed for the developers to add additional utilities and they have been told that this cannot happen and permits will not be issued until the work on the A38 in Longford is complete.
Please note that if you wish to use Down Hatherley lane from the Churchdown Rd East turning to Frogfurlong, this is open. Officers have asked for signage to be changed to reflect this.
A38 AT LONGFORD:
The works being carried out are by Wales and West utilities to replace pipes. They have a permit until November but were asked to start the works at the roundabout end before Longford Lane first so that the traffic coming from Twigworth would not have to wait for the temporary lights before turning onto Longford lane to access Longlevens and Innsworth. This did not happen and has caused long tailbacks and extremely long wait times.
Managers have asked that the works be filled and moved further toward the roundabout past Longford Lane. Works will then move further up after the closure at Down Hatherley lane.
CHURCHDOWN:
The three way lights on Pirton Corner which are causing the tailbacks coming into the village particularly on the A40 were due to end before the beginning of the school term with works continuing without the need for them. Obviously, this has not been the case and Cllr Dove has gone to a meeting with the contractors this afternoon and will update himself following this.
There were planned works on both Parton Lane by the Coop and on Pirton Lane past Winston Rd due to start in the coming days, both involving traffic lights. Traffic managers have informed the companies due to carry out these works that they have to be postponed until after the other temporary lights in the village have been removed.
The work at the mini roundabout on Station Rd is due to finish tomorrow and as yet a permit extension has not been requested. We have been assured that highways can and will use their powers to fine daily for work going over the permit given. Cllr Dove will have a full update on these works.
https://one.network/ is a website that anyone can sign up to and is really useful to see what is happening in the area. It lists:
The contractor
Reason for works
Type of traffic management
Permit length
Conditions
If anyone is aware of a condition that is being breached with any planned works please do report them through fix my street as Highways have the powers to fine contractors.
Twigworth Parish Council Gloucestershire 