Closure of Hoe Mill Bridge
After receiving several comments and complaints, I just wanted to let you know that the Parish Council have made representations regarding the current road closure signage and requested that improvements be made so that Woodham Walter does not appear to be inaccessible. I have noted the following points with Highways and also the Traffic Management company who designed the scheme:
- The carriageway is partly blocked at A414 (Runsell Green/Danbury junction) which is dangerous and confusing. Vehicles exiting from the junction at the A414 are preventing vehicles turning into the junction and they then have to stop on the A414 which is dangerous. That the angle of the turn is too tight.
- If you are not local (maybe deliveries or customers of the pubs, golf clubs or other businesses as well as other visitors) you will not necessarily know where Hoe Mill Bridge is or that the actual road closure it is almost 2½ miles from this point and that access to Woodham Walter from here is not affected.
- The signage is confusing and doesn’t explain that Woodham Walter is accessible and that all businesses (including the pubs and golf courses) are open.
Yesterday I spoke to Highways but other than the signs being moved slightly at the A414 junction which has helped, it is still causing difficulties and confusion.
I have this morning managed to track down the Traffic Management company and spoke to the designer of the scheme. I was able to tell him about the difficulties. He was very willing to make alterations to improve the situation and was understanding when I explained the problems caused. He said that often when these diversions are put in place there are teething troubles. He was surprised to hear that the A414 junction was partly blocked and that the signs should be on the verge. He is also going to look at the wording and will consider changing it to something along the lines of “No access beyond Woodham Walter”.
I hope that the conversation with the Traffic Management company will be productive but I wanted to let you know that I have raised the issues and hope that improvements will be seen very soon.
Kind regards
Jacky Bannerman
Parish Clerk
The full link to Essex Highways webpage for the ‘Hoe Mill Bridge, Woodham Walter’ works is available here and a link has been added to the parish website for the duration of the works.
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