Five prime minsters in time it has taken for roundabout work to start
THE UK has had five Prime Ministers in the years it has taken a housing developer to even start work on a longawaited roundabout at an accident blackspot.
Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Theresa May and Boris Johnson have all taken it in turns to run the country in the time a long running campaign to get a road island installed at the crossing of Main Street and Occupation Lane in Albert Village.
In the 17 years the fight has been going on we have seen the dawn of social media and Facebook and the rise of online giant Amazon, said one resident.
He said: “Seventeen years is a long wait and let’s not hold our breath as it’s not done and dusted yet. In that time we’ve lots of prime ministers, the rise of the internet, Facebook and things like Amazon. So why can’t they do our little island?
Taylor Wimpey is still yet to build a roundabout at the accident blackspot, 17 years after the firm was granted permission to build the Treetops development, in nearby Woodville, leaving people there wondering whether it will ever happen.
The roundabout would be mitigate the impact p of extra traffic from its nowfinished 400-home estate.
And now the house builder has apologised again for not doing the job, but it says that work should be completed during school holidays by spring 2021 – which will make it an 18-year wait.
In June, the firm said it was hoping to have the roundabout built by the end of this month but revealed that it is still working with Leicestershire County Council to obtain approval for their traffic management systems and any necessary diversions.
The work was originally due to start in the Easter holidays to avoid traffic build-up at the nearby Albert Village primary school but Covid-19 and social distancing guidelines has caused delays.
Councillor Sean Sheahan, who represents the village on Leicestershire County Council, previously said the firm was letting everyone down by its delays.
It is hoped the roundabout will cut crashes and near-misses, with more traffic caused by new housing developments using the junction.
A Taylor Wimpey spokesman said: “We would like to sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused by the delays in getting the Albert Village roundabout completed.
“We are working closely with the utility companies and the local authority to complete the works in a safe and reasonable timeframe.
“We would like to assure local reside dents ts t that at we e are a e committed co tted to finalisas ing the works to the Albert Village roundabout as soon as possible.”
Boris Johnson 2019 -
Theresa May 2016 - 2019