14 weeks of roadworks starting from today in Tendring
There will be several phases of the works
Roadworks are starting from today (6 September) in Tendring and are expected to take 14 weeks.
The mini-roundabout at the junction of the B1033 with Halstead Road in Kirby Cross is being replaced by traffic lights, while there will be new marking and bollards at the mini-roundabout junction of the B1033 and the B1032.
There will be several phases of the works, which are being carried out by developers Vistry as part of the Finches Park housing development.
Some of the works will require a night-time closure on the B1033, and a full 24-hour road closure of the southern end of Halstead Road.
Diversions and in some areas temporary traffic lights will be in place.
A requirement to convert the junctions was added to the site's planning permission as a condition by a Planning Inspector following an appeal.
The scheme has reportedly been designed to manage traffic levels, with priority being given to vehicles on the main roads and safe crossing points for pedestrians.
Neil Stock OBE, TDC Leader and Portfolio Holder for Planning, said:
"These junctions are in a key location at the gateway into the Frinton, Walton and Kirby area and whilst the effects of continued housing development are likely to impact on these junctions more than elsewhere, local people are very concerned about installing traffic lights as a solution – particularly following the severe congestion caused by roadworks in recent months.
"These works will no doubt cause some disruption during construction, and we completely understand concerns from local residents, but if the transport experts are right we hopeful the end result will be an improvement to traffic flow and pedestrian safety in the area.
"I would like to praise and thank the developers for their helpful and constructive discussions and for how mindful they have been of local concerns, wanting to maintain a positive relationship with the community and exploring feasible alternatives.
"Likewise, their efforts to make residents aware of these works in advance are laudable.
"This situation is another example of the flaws within our national planning system, where decisions are taken away from local people, and we end up with a developer having to carry out a scheme that neither they nor local residents want."