Traffic chaos to hit town
Sunday, 9th December 2001.
A MAJOR PROJECT to replace the Swan Lane bridge in Haverhill town centre is to take place in February, amid fears that it could cause traffic chaos.
Suffolk County Council has written to occupiers in the area this week warning them of the £110,000 scheme which will involve closing Swan Lane at the bridge end to traffic for 15 weeks. Their letter says the bridge has been tested for load carrying capacity and found to be weak.
Gordon Mussett, Haverhill town clerk, said he knew nothing about the work and was disappointed that the town council had not been consulted. He feared diversions via Hamlet Road and temporary two-way traffic with lights at the top of Swan Lane could cause problems.
“It highlights the need for a proper pedestrianisation scheme for the town centre. If it were only for delivery vehicles going into Swan Lane going through the lights it would not be a problem But we know that all the traffic turning into Queen Street and the High Streetwill have to go through there and there will be huge queues of traffic.
“It is disappointing that the town council has not been consulted. The work had to be done, but we need to make sure access is maintained for businesses. Also Swan Lane is very narrow and difficult to turn into so it would have been a good opportunity to try and improve the access there at the same time,” Mr Mussett said.
Gerry Kiernan, county councillor for Haverhill, also knew nothing about the scheme and was concerned about its implications for town centre traffic movements.
“The work has to be done, but it is going to cause traffic problems and we need to make sure they are kept to a minimum. People might have a better way of doing the diversions and it could be an opportunity to improve the junction. I shall certainly be finding out more about it,” Coun Kiernan said.
Trevor Bonham, project manager for Suffolk County Council, said a temporary footbridge and footpath would be provided for pedestrians, but the lower part of Swan Lane would be closed to vehicles throughout the 15 weeks, with diversions along a signed route.
“Suffolk County Council is working in partnership with contractors, the district council and the police to ensure that inconvenience to residents and visitors to Haverhill is kept to a minimum during this time,” said Mr Bonham.
Suffolk County Council has written to occupiers in the area this week warning them of the £110,000 scheme which will involve closing Swan Lane at the bridge end to traffic for 15 weeks. Their letter says the bridge has been tested for load carrying capacity and found to be weak.
Gordon Mussett, Haverhill town clerk, said he knew nothing about the work and was disappointed that the town council had not been consulted. He feared diversions via Hamlet Road and temporary two-way traffic with lights at the top of Swan Lane could cause problems.
“It highlights the need for a proper pedestrianisation scheme for the town centre. If it were only for delivery vehicles going into Swan Lane going through the lights it would not be a problem But we know that all the traffic turning into Queen Street and the High Streetwill have to go through there and there will be huge queues of traffic.
“It is disappointing that the town council has not been consulted. The work had to be done, but we need to make sure access is maintained for businesses. Also Swan Lane is very narrow and difficult to turn into so it would have been a good opportunity to try and improve the access there at the same time,” Mr Mussett said.
Gerry Kiernan, county councillor for Haverhill, also knew nothing about the scheme and was concerned about its implications for town centre traffic movements.
“The work has to be done, but it is going to cause traffic problems and we need to make sure they are kept to a minimum. People might have a better way of doing the diversions and it could be an opportunity to improve the junction. I shall certainly be finding out more about it,” Coun Kiernan said.
Trevor Bonham, project manager for Suffolk County Council, said a temporary footbridge and footpath would be provided for pedestrians, but the lower part of Swan Lane would be closed to vehicles throughout the 15 weeks, with diversions along a signed route.
“Suffolk County Council is working in partnership with contractors, the district council and the police to ensure that inconvenience to residents and visitors to Haverhill is kept to a minimum during this time,” said Mr Bonham.
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