Road closure ‘massive inconvenience for us’
VILLAGERS FEAR ‘RIDICULOUS TRAFFIC AND DIFFICULT SCHOOL RUNS’
A busy road is due to be closed so a roundabout can be built to access to a new housing development.
The move has concerned residents of the area as it would mean blocking access to one of the main access routes in and out of Sileby.
Residents were sent a letter from Leicestershire County Council to give advance notice of the work, which is taking place on Ratcliffe Road next month.
Newline Civil Engineering Ltd, which is carrying out the work on behalf of Davidsons Developments, also contacted residents affected by the closure.
The letter said: “The road closure is required to complete the remaining works in a safe manner which protects not only road users but our workforce.
“We have been forced into the dates of the closure by factors out of our control.”
Fred Ward-Pearson, a local resident, said the closure will create a “massive inconvenience” to get in and out of the village.
He said: “As well as the traffic being ridiculous, the school run in the morning will be difficult and will mean having to leave the house an extra 25 minutes early.
“I have to battle through the road to get on to the A46 on a daily basis due to the roadworks, so adding a closure on top will be a massive inconvenience.”
The dates for the work had initially been planned over a four-week period between October 28 and November 24 - meaning residents would lose access to a main route in and out of the village
But a spokesman for Leicestershire County Council said further discussions have been made with the contractors and residents will be informed of a new timescale.
The spokesman said: “The letter sent to residents was advance notice of work but after further discussion with the contractors the timescale has been changed slightly. The contractor will be sending out new letters to residents advising of the closures.”
The council said it is “anticipated” Ratcliffe Road will now be closed from November 1 until November 6 and again from November 22 until November 27. The spokesman said: “If the work is completed earlier during these periods, the road will be opened earlier. Temporary lights will be in place at other times.
“This is to accommodate work being completed on behalf of Davidsons Developments to form the access to their development site for the construction of 170 homes.
“We will work closely with the developer to keep the duration of the closures to an absolute minimum and will be proactively assessing weather conditions and accessibility of diversion routes prior to the closures being put in place.”
The diversion route for the closures will be Ratcliffe Road, The Banks, Brook Street, Cossington Road (Sileby), Main Street, Syston Road (Cossington), A46 (Ratcliffe on the Wreake), Ratcliffe Road (Sileby) and vice versa.
The school run will be difficult and will mean having to leave the house an extra 25 minutes early
Resident