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Worries as development closes bypass for six weeks

Andrew Turner
BBC News, Norfolk
Reporting fromCaister-on-Sea
Andrew Turner/BBC Yellow road signs that state Prince of Wales Road in Caister being closed to traffic at the junction of Jack Chase Way from 24 February to 4 April. It states For Bateman Groundworks contact 01603 558888. The images shows part of Prince of Wales Road and Jack Chase Way intersecting at the junction. There is a footpath and grass verge in the foreground and a brick wall in the right of the image.Andrew Turner/BBC
Prince of Wales Road will be closed at its junction with Jack Chase Way, which will be shut for six weeks from Monday

A Norfolk bypass is closed to all traffic for six weeks, raising concerns for safety in a village.

Persimmon Homes was granted a road closure order by Norfolk County Council to allow it to install traffic lights on Jack Chase Way at the junction of Prince of Wales Road.

It will allow the house builder to create an access to its development of 655 homes at Mulberry Park, which is under construction on the western side of the road.

Caister Parish Council said the closure was unacceptable and would cause rat runs through the village, saying: "They have not listened to us or the people of our village."

Persimmon said the work had been scheduled to take place at time when traffic levels were lower.

Causeway one.network A digital map shows the route diversion through Caister on Sea in a dashed blue line, and the red line represents the closed road and potential congestion points.Causeway one.network
The closure of Jack Chase Way will see Ormesby Road and Norwich Road used as the diversionary route

Caister Parish Council said it met Norfolk Highways and Persimmon earlier in February and raised concerns over safety of children walking to school.

It said traffic would become congested at the traffic lights near the village church, and suggested emergency services vehicles would be delayed as a result.

The parish council said: "The council had hoped we could work together to offer a solution that took into consideration the safety of our parishioners as well as the need to carry out the required works."

Andrew Turner/BBC Fencing surrounds a works site where a central reservation and pedestrian crossing is being built. In the background is machinery and houses under construction.Andrew Turner/BBC
Jack Chase Way has been restricted with three-way light control at the junction of Prince of Wales Road, where the entrance to the new estate will join opposite

A spokesperson for Norfolk County Council said: "There is a significant amount of large scale work to do at this location.

"We understand the concerns of the parish council, and alternative traffic management options were discussed.

"However, it would not be safe to carry out these works within the timescale without a full road closure.

"The developer is working to ensure that these works will be completed before Easter."

Andrew Turner/BBC A road sign depicting Jack Chase Way with a 40mph temporary speed limit sign visible next to it. There is undergrowth on the roadside, and the road is visible to the left of the image with cars in the distance.Andrew Turner/BBC
Jack Chase Way was built as a bypass to take traffic away from Caister village centre, but the parish council says closing it for six weeks will put residents at risk

Persimmon Homes Anglia said: "While several options were considered by Norfolk County Council, following consultation, the preferred option was a short six-week road closure taking place outside of the holiday period when traffic is at a reduced level.

"This option avoids approximately 30 weeks of road works and traffic management on Jack Chase Way that would likely cause much greater disruption for residents."

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