Haines Bridge closed from 15 August for 9 weeks
For latest update (4th August) go to the bottom of the text
Veolia Water held an ‘open afternoon’ at Weybridge Hall on 21st July to describe a ‘Booster Pumping Station’ project that would involve closure of Queens Rd at Haines Bridge for 9 weeks from 15th August – i.e. in just 3 weeks’ time! Project Manager Andrew Jeskins answered questions and took note of points raised that included:
· Inadequate Communication
· Incomplete Diversion plans
· The excessively long period for the planned closure of Queens Rd.
Veolia Water propose works that will involve a total closure of Queens Rd, Haines Bridge and Oatlands Avenue for 9 weeks starting 15th August! The works include the addition of a pumping station into the twin 15” mains that run between Desborough Island and the reservoirs on St George’s Hill that feed the whole area. Without this addition they apparently would need to replace the mains along the whole route to ensure water supply for Weybridge with the current and projected population and water usage – a potentially much bigger disturbance across Walton and Weybridge.
The additional pumping station will be in the grounds adjacent to No. 2 Oatlands Avenue and new pipes will connect it to the existing twin mains in Queens Rd near the Honda garage site. The size and depth of the works contributes to the scale and length of the project, however part of the reason for the 9 week planned closure is that works are planned Mon-Fri 08:00-17:00 only (apparently ‘default times to minimise disturbance to adjacent properties’).
This plan has been with Surrey Highways since at least May 2011, yet this week Surrey contact centre could not find any information about the plans or the consultation session on the 21st July! The Veolia Water site also gives no information. There appears to be no advice on line about any planned major works in our area. The open meeting was only tracked down by asking DC Leisure at Elmbridge if they had a Weybridge Hall booking for Veolia Water!
Diversion route maps shown only have diversions to the north and east of Haines Bridge – predominantly to divert traffic to Walton Bridge/New Zealand Avenue. No diversions (or traffic signage) have apparently been considered for Byfleet Rd.
There would seem to need to be a trade-off between the disturbance to residents near the site and traffic disruption when considering the working hours. The present plan is for 0800-1700 M-F – resulting in a 9 week closure. Whilst 24/7 working would significantly reduce the closure but with a correspondingly significant increase in noise disturbance, there would seem to be a case for some weekend working and longer hours, plus a re-phasing of the works, to reduce the Queens Rd closure to a much shorter period.
The project manager and contractor manager undertook today to
1. Feedback to Veolia and SCC that information and notice on this project has been inadequate.
2. Reconsider the planned diversion routes – particularly to consider west of Haines Bridge and the area south of Brooklands.
3. Consider options that would reduce the time that Queens Rd would be closed e.g.
a. Working hours extensions (e.g. longer than 0800-1700 and some weekend working)
b. A re-phasing of the project to do the Queens Rd part as quickly as possible
They said they will advise the Society when these points had been addressed.
In the meantime, and considering the short notice given to the public on this planned closure, Members are advised to urgently contact Veolia Water 0n 0845 782 3333 to comment on the plans and request improvements – more info may be available on www.veoliawater.co.uk/customerzone
Latest update from Veolia Water
The road closure is going ahead on the planned dates and we are implementing measures with our contractor to work longer daylight hours and Saturdays to facilitate a reduction in the road works programme which may allow us to open up Queens Road part way through the total road closure period. We are not implementing night time or Sunday working due the disturbance that this would cause to local residents in Dialstone Court (McCarthy & Stone), Oatlands Avenue and at this end of Queens Road.
22nd Jul 2011
