A resident said they are concerned about the “knock-on” effects of roadworks after receiving a confusing letter from the highways authority.
Residents received a letter from Transport for Bucks (TfB) on April 25, notifying them about an upgrade taking place outside Our Lady’s Catholic School on Amersham Road in Chesham Bois, from May 9 – however, it appears related works could be starting sooner.
The letter states the work will take about five days to finish and require “two-way traffic lights and a footway closure between 9.30am-3.30pm”.
READ MORE: Huge backlash over home demolition for ‘imposing’ flats
“It is vital that vehicles are not parked on the road and/or footway as this will prevent the works from being completed. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused by these works,” it states.
Outside Our Lady’s
One local who declined to be named, however, said the letter is confusing because “it isn’t clear what they are actually doing”.
The letter states that TfB will be “upgrading the intelligent transport system” outside the school – which the resident hopes is the lights at the crossing.
There also appears to be no record of the works mentioned in the letter on Bucks Council’s website at the time of this article’s publication, despite putting a web link in the letter itself.
When contacted using the telephone number on the letter, TfB also revealed “resurfacing works” are scheduled between Chiltern Road to Moor Road, from May 3-8 – but could not explain the “intelligent transport system” in the letter from May 9, other than it believed it was all connected.
Again, this was not on the website.
It now turns out, the road surfacing works are now scheduled to take place overnight from 23 to 27 May.
READ MORE: Major development that outraged hundreds is decided
The confused resident said that while they understand “work has to be done”, there had also been recent roadworks in the area that caused “knock-on” traffic problems, such as speeding, and cars diverting down narrow roads like Bois Lane and Fullers Hill.
They said they hoped drivers will be patient while the work is happening.
Outside Our Lady’s
“Work has to be done,” said the local person. “My issue with this letter is that it isn’t clear what they are actually doing.
“The temporary lights at the crossing by Our Lady’s need replacing – if they are doing that, then brilliant.
“Recent roadworks on the back of the months-long gas main replacement are very annoying but if work needs to be done, then it needs to be done.
“The knock-on problem of cars – and lorries – speeding down Clifton Road and Chiltern Road at 50mph, and traffic diverting down narrow roads such as Bois Lane and Fullers Hill, cause further problems.
“Amersham Road is the only arterial route coming out of Chesham in this direction but what other options are there?
“Hopefully drivers can be patient and see what are, presumably essential works, in a positive light.”
Cllr Steven Broadbent said: "We apologise for the confusion caused by this letter informing residents about works to the traffic lights on Amersham Road in Chesham Bois. The works will allow the traffic lights to be isolated so that they are protected from any power failures caused by street light switch offs, as these are currently used as the power source. Two way temporary lights and a footway closure will be used between 9.30am and 3.30pm when the works are carried out.
"In addition we will be carrying out some surface dressing works prior to the traffic light upgrade. These works are scheduled to take place overnight using a road closure on Amersham Road.
"Unfortunately these scheduled works have been delayed because of current international issues affecting bitumen supplies and will we be writing to residents to inform them of the new dates. The road surfacing works are now scheduled to take place overnight from 23 to 27 May.
"Our website is updated every week on Friday with the following week’s work, as this scheme does not start for a couple of weeks yet, it may not appear on the website.
"We apologise for any inconvenience caused as a result of these planned works."
We’ve launched a new Facebook group for local news junkies, politics fans and everyone who wants to keep up to date with the latest issues affecting Chesham. Please join the conversation over at Buckinghamshire Politics
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here