Video – Stratford roundabout ‘chaos’ on Evesham Road could continue into near year
THERE was dismay and anger after residents were told the much-delayed construction of the new Evesham Road roundabout in Stratford could drag on until April 2024.While Warwickshire County Council has said it hoped to have the work wrapped up by the end of September – or at least the end of the year – it warned there was a chance that the project could take longer and even continue into the new year.
The news was a bitter blow for those living in the immediate vicinity of the construction site – an area they’ve dubbed ‘Borden Hell’ – who have had to deal with long delays and queuing traffic, road rage incidents as well as noise and vibrations.
Residents have told the Herald that they are desperately worried about their mental health with one admitting the daily trauma had left him feeling suicidal.
Issues involving the roundabout work, which started in February 2022 to link Evesham Road to a new housing estate in Shottery, were discussed at The Paddock Suite at Stratford Racecourse at a meeting on Monday (31st July) arranged by Warwickshire County Council (WCC) to update residents on the latest developments.
Around 130 people – including children – packed the venue to voice their outrage that a project, which should have ended in March, had been delayed three times with the latest date for competition listed as September.
WCC, which is overseeing the project with sub-contractors Montel Civil Engineering (who did not have anyone at the meeting) was told there had been poor communication, a lack of transparency about the traffic management plan – including the questionable operation of traffic signals – a huge impact on the mental health and wellbeing of residents and safety concerns.
It provoked one member of the audience to question the county council’s care for the safety of residents and claim that the whole site had become a dangerous game of roulette for pedestrians and road users as they pull out of their own driveways, attempt to cross the road or try to walk to a neighbour’s house.
At this point voices became raised as an audience member said to council officials: “You have a duty of care or someone’s going to lose their life or be seriously injured.”
One young mother, a Bordon Hill homeowner, told the meeting: “Over the last 18 months I’ve been squashed by work vehicles, hit by a dredger and faced abuse from people while trying to get through the traffic or to my home.
“We pay a massive amount for our mortgage but I’m I’ve had enough of it, we need to get this roundabout finished now.”
Another mother said it took her 45 minutes to get her two children to school on a journey that now caused anxiety for her nine-year-old. “It’s been horrendous for our family and it could affect a third year of school for our children.”
The meeting was reduced to a stunned silence when Luddington Road resident, Peter Hanks, 78, described in distressing detail how he’s contemplated suicide and now receives counselling because of the pain and anxiety caused by the Evesham Road works.
“It started for me at 7am on the first day and has gone on ever since,” Peter said. “Why wasn’t the road pushed through before the houses were built. I’ve had suicidal thoughts because of the constant noise and work.” And he told the county council officials sitting on the panel: “I hope you don’t sleep tonight because I know I won’t.”
Bordon Hill resident, Gloria Reed, said she had no idea why the council has suggested the work could extend until April 2024.
“We were told it would end in September and then it could go into April. It feels like there’s no end in sight and again, nobody can give us any answers.
“The damage to cars, property and health is horrific and who’s going to compensate us? My heart broke for Peter when he spoke at the meeting and I’ve told him to talk to me. We’ve all got to know each other a lot better and I’ve spoken to neighbours I’ve never spoken to before but that’s the only good this to come out of this,” Gloria told the Herald.
Throughout the resident’s meeting, county council representative listened patiently to questions from the audience and answered as fully as possible – anything they couldn’t answer would be followed up the next day, they promised.
Scott Tompkins, director of environment, planning and transport at WCC, said: “I hear your anger and frustration this is a difficult site to manage. I will contact Montel and arrange a meeting with them. I have been clear we want to be off site by the end of September, I can guarantee we will be off site by April 2024.”
WCC said the finishing date was a “moving target” – the site has been hampered by complicated engineering involving Shottery Brook culvert.
On Tuesday, Mr Tompkins told the Herald: “We fully understand the impact these works are having on local residents and delays that are being caused. At present we are hoping to complete the scheme by the end of September, and we are pushing the contractor Montel’s to accelerate work where possible to achieve this although there remain some risks on site. At the very latest we would be completed before the end of the year, but we are really aiming to do everything we can to complete the works as soon as possible.”
The meeting was chaired by county councillor, Jenny Fradgley, who stepped in at short notice after the proposed chair was unable to attend.
Cllr Fradgley said after the meeting: “There’s been a lack of clarity. Communication with residents has been very poor, this has not been well handled.
“I am concerned about the whole development which needs sharpening because we all desperately want to get it finished. All the councillors involved have fed into the council all of the residents’ concerns.
“A meeting like this one should have been held earlier, letters should have been sent to every resident and a quarterly newsletter issued because this was an opportunity to let people know good news.
“The issues are poor communication and traffic management and we need to learn lessons as there will be future projects to consider.”
