HIGH STREET REFURBISHMENT WORKS

PLANS FOR THE HIGH STREET 2010      

Chairman’s Report November 2009

The following is the latest information available on the dates and timescale for the works in the High Street starting in January 2010. I hope that it will help to clarify the scale and extent of the disruption that can be expected. If further explanation is required, please contact me through the Council Office and I will be happy to discuss any issues that you wish to raise.

The time scale for the works to the High Street including all works by the Gas National Grid and the dovetailing of the refurbishment by County Highways will take 8 months. This will entail works in the High Street itself from 11^th January 2010 until mid August with added time to complete the gas work in Mill Lane. All work should be completed by mid September.

The gas work will start at Stone Lane, laying mains and services.

Phase 1 Stone Lane to Vicarage Drive 11^th January -April 26^th   15 weeks

This will cause the worst disruption as the main is in the middle of the road and therefore the road will need to be closed to through traffic. Diversions using the A449, and for local traffic using Back Church Hill and Comber Ridge etc as used when the drainage was being done, will be sign posted.

 Initially, the work will require road closure to through traffic from Stone Lane to the Council Offices, but leave access for the car park by the toilets for traffic coming from the Mill Lane end of the High Street.

 When this is completed, the road will then be closed to through traffic from the Council Offices to Vicarage Drive; the car park will then be available from the Stone Lane end of the High Street which will give vehicle access from that end of the street.

 Phase 2 Vicarage Drive to Mill Lane   26^th April-26^th July.

This phase does not require road closure for most of the time. Traffic lights will be used as and where necessary. A three week contingency has been built in to the timescale here. As the road has been used by various utilities over many years, some before mapping was required, unforeseen problems may be encountered.

Phase 3 Mill Lane   26^th July-20^th September      

Again traffic lights will be in operation here.

 Highways   Refurbishment

The refurbishment will dovetail with the gas work. Once the gas has been done in a section, Highways will follow behind. The schedule is as follows.

 Stone Lane to Vicarage Drive 26th April-26^th June

Vicarage Drive to Spar 24^th May- 1st July…

Spar to Mill Lane 1^st-20^th August

Highways have agreed to discuss the signage that will be used so that, hopefully, the confusion experienced during the last works is not repeated.

Highways hope to have an onsite manager in the village while they are doing work so that any problems or queries can be quickly dealt with. This will provide a convenient contact point for residents to immediately raise any concerns or issues during this difficult time. They hope to work in cooperation with high street residents so that the work can progress as quickly as possible, and therefore keep disruption to the minimum.

Concern was expressed by the traders who were present about the extent and the timing of the works. It was pointed out that according to the trader survey, the quietest months were January and February which is when the most severe disruption will take place. The busiest times were November and December which will not be affected. It is obviously very unfortunate and upsetting for traders who do have some busier times at the beginning of the year... However with such an extended timescale there is little room for manoeuvre.

It was also suggested that perhaps the refurbishment could be left until later in the year to give a break mid year.  However it was shown that this would be counter productive as there is no break in the work to the gas main which would still be going on. If the Gas National Grid have to fill in and make good the road surface it will add time to their schedule and if Highways have to then break up the temporary surface, then their time will also  be extended.  To dovetail the two activities is the most efficient method, and gradually as the works progress along the street, the residents will know that the disruption for them will be less and breathe a sigh of relief!!

We were informed that as the road will be closed for more than 30 days, compensation could be available from the Gas National Grid. I am in the process of contacting the company to clarify the criteria for this so that relevant information can be passed on to the traders.

The request for rate rebate was also mentioned; however none of the officers present were in a position to discuss this matter. It could be raised by Parish Council with the appropriate Council department, but it is not something that is usually considered favourably. However as this will be another severe disruption to the high street in Kinver in two years, together with the economic downturn, maybe there is a case for exceptional circumstances to be considered.

Mr D Bills mentioned that some of the problems encountered during the last works were due to either illegal or inconsiderate parking in the high street while the works were in progress. It was therefore suggested that the parking enforcement officers should be asked to patrol more frequently during this time in order to minimise this problem.

Rachel Davis

Kinver Parish Council