'Significant issues’ mean Oakham road will remain closed for longer

Brooke Road has been closed off since mid July

Brooke Road
Author: Sarah Ward Local Democracy Reporting ServicePublished 2nd Oct 2024

Unforeseen issues in the construction of a new housing development will mean a temporary town centre road closure will be in place for longer.

Brooke Road in Oakham, which has been closed off since mid July, will remain shut until Wednesday, November 30, following an announcement by Rutland County Council and the construction firm Burmour.

The statement says there have been ‘significant issues’ outside Burmour Construction Ltd’s control:  “Efforts to carry out essential highway and utility works taking place as part of the Brooke Road allotments development have been severely disrupted by delays to tree felling and the discovery of various utility services in locations not shown on plans or formal records. 

“This has required a complete redesign of kerb and drainage solutions for the development, as well as additional permits and approvals from utility companies. More time is therefore needed to complete the works.

“Although it is not possible to reopen Brooke Road to vehicles, due to the nature of the works that remain, Burmor expects to reinstate partial pedestrian access from the beginning of November.”

Forty homes are being built at the development, which gained planning permission from the county council in 2020.

From Monday, November 4th, the footpath along Brooke Road will be opened under supervision on weekdays from 8am to 9am and 3pm to 4pm. 

This is intended to help children walk to the nearby school and pedestrians will be marshalled at either end by a Burmor representative.

The statement says:

“Current arrangements for any Brooke Road residents with suspended parking bays will remain the same throughout the extended closure period. Existing season tickets can continue to be displayed and are valid until the end of the road closure.

“Both Burmor Construction Ltd and Rutland County Council apologise for the inconvenience that residents are experiencing because of the closure to Brooke Road. Regular users of this route will see a marked improvement in traffic and congestion once the work is complete, together with the building of 40 much-needed affordable homes.”

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