Substandard road in Bodmin to remain closed until end of August
The developer says the road needed to be closed to allow works to be carried out safely
The closure of a substandard main road has caused "havoc" on and around a housing estate in Cornwall, with one resident saying there are "a lot of unhappy people" in the area as a result.
Work by developer Wain Homes on Greenvalley Road, Bodmin, to bring the road up to a standard to be adopted by Cornwall Highways was supposed to be completed by the end of July but the company has said it will now have to remain closed until the end of August.
Jenny Cruse, the Cornwall councillor who represents the area, said she had been contacted by many concerned residents as the work was causing disruption in the surrounding area.
One resident said: "It’s causing a lot of inconvenience. There are a lot of unhappy people. People are ignoring the road closed sign as the traffic is so bad. There is an accident waiting to happen. I had a man swear at me because he couldn’t turn around in my drive, it’s so frustrating!"
Cllr Cruse said: "I have been contacted by many residents regarding the Greenvalley Road closure. The works are being carried out by Wain Homes, which I understand will be because the road is not up to a good enough standard to be adopted by Cornwall Highways. We had no notification of the works and it has caused havoc in the local area."
She said the work was due to finish on July 27 and questioned why it was started just before the busy summer holiday period.
After visiting the site on Monday, July 31, she added: "The crossings were not built to the correct specification and therefore the subsequent damage became such that immediate action was taken albeit at a very bad time. The initial closure was to determine the problem, which has now been shown to be not to standard. The contractors have begun the repairs and it will take at least a month if not more and this is partly because the type of concrete that is being used needs a specific time to cure.
"Cornwall Highways have no part to play in this as the road is not yet adopted and will not be adopted until the officers are satisfied that the repairs are robust and will stay in good condition for many years."
She added: "One may ask the pertinent question why the ‘planners’, whoever they were, ever thought it was a good idea to put a main route through a housing estate, but we are where we are and the works need to be carried out. It is unacceptable that this estate is still waiting for the roads to be in a fit state after nearly three years.
"The inconvenience this has caused to the local traffic is considerable and is a testament to the importance of contractors making sure they produce work that is up to specification as the fall-out is now tremendous."
The developer issued a statement in which it said: "Wain Homes is undertaking the required investigations and works to bring Greenvalley Road in Bodmin up to the standard suitable for adoption by Cornwall Council. The process of completing remedial works prior to adoption is a standard process across all councils, however the location and heavy use on this section of highway makes this project more challenging.
"The road needed to be closed to allow these works to be carried out safely. Residents were notified and alternative access arrangements made. The initial closure was until the end of July but the investigations showed further works were needed and the closure is now until the end of August.
"We are very aware of the wider impact these repairs are having and we are doing everything we can to speed up the project, working with our contractor and the highways department to bring the works to a close."
Cornwall Estates Management team also issued a statement, which has been shared by local councillors. It states: "I can confirm that there is no dispute between Wain Homes and Cornwall Highways that this team is aware of.
"In terms of the S38 Adoption process, Cornwall Highways ensure that all areas for adoption have been constructed to the approved design and specification and in accordance with all relevant standards and legislation. In this case Greenvalley Road was not, and Wain Homes were therefore asked to correct this.
"Unfortunately this now involves some major reconstruction work with no option but to close the road. However, until such time as the road becomes highway maintainable at public expense, these are works on a private unadopted road meaning that the works, traffic management and the contractor used are all the responsibility of Wain Homes. This is also entirely at the developer’s (or their contractor’s) expense and not the tax payer.
"It is also worth noting that the planning permission did always intend for this to become the main through route and therefore it was designed to allow for the heavy traffic that would use it."