Representation by Catherine Gaywood
- Date submitted
- 2 November 2022
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I understand the benefit of widening the A12. It will offer constancy of journey and support the regional economy. All comments I am making refer to a specific section of the project. That is from the most southern point by the Boreham Interchange up to Witham. My concerns relates to the impact on the existing local road network as a result of the proposals for the A12. Boreham is the middle of several major developments, all of which will generate increased traffic through the village. Whilst one project is not solely responsible - ECC should be requesting contributions for and implementing extensive road traffic calming and increased priority for walking and cycling along Main Road. This will both create a safer environment for all parts of the local community, slow traffic down, make the village less attractive to the 'lets nip through Boreham, as its easier than double back on ourselves' traffic, enabling village traffic to utilise the network freely. The developments of note are - The closure of junction 20 at Hatfield Peverel, North Chelmsford ByPass, North Chelmsford Station and Longfields Solar Farm. It is important to not that the Solar Farm development will eliminate the pinch points along Cranham Road to improve access to their site. The long-term result will be an alternative North Chelmsford bypass via Boreham. Without physical traffic calming, reduced priority for vehicles through the village, Boreham will become a rat run. Boreham Main Road is proposed to be reduced in speed to 30mph. The road has historically met the ECC road speed criteria to be a 30mph road for many years. A conscious choice was made by ECC not to do so for fear that it would actually create a safety concern. Boreham Main Road is the historic access route between the main towns and route to London. It is wide and straight. For drivers the perception is that it is safe due to long visability. It is hard to drive at a slower speed. So the risk is one driver would stick to 30 the car behind would want to drive faster, either tail gate or over take. both causing conflict and risky behaviour. My question is why suddenly is it ok to drive at 30mph through the village when previously from a planned road safety position it was not. IF the road is to be reduced in speed there needs to be physical mitigation put in place, not just 'welcome to our village' gates and the odd crossing island. We have these for a 40mph road. The action needs to be bold, brave and in place before work on the A12 begins. Request for pavements to be widened and the road space narrowed. IF the pedestrian bridge over the Boreham Interchange is to be on the north side of Main Road, then cycle and pedestrian facilites should be prioitiesed on that side of Main Road with several formal and island crossing points along the duration. Bus laybys be removed and become part of the main traffic. Again as a calming measure and to prioritiese shared space. Highways England needs to declassify Boreham Main Road as a priority diversion route. Thier contingency planning for closures uses Boreham Main Road. With the north Chelmsford Bypass nearing completion this route should become the alternative. With the de-classification there is no limit to the options available to ECC for the mitigation measures available to protect the Boreham residents. Sound impact from A12 traffic. Current proposals are to 'sound proof' at source only one side of the carriageway. The request is for both sides of the carriage way to be surfaced the same way for the section that runs parallel to the village. The noise from the far side carriageway does have an impact on the village. The request for sound proofing at source as part of the project is particularly relevant as the project does not include maintenance planning to coincided with the work. Repairs to any existing sound barriers or hedgerows is not being considered yet it is of poor standard. I appreciate a project must have a start/end point to be managable etc. However it does seem remiss to exclude a dedicated chelmsford slip road at junction 19 for traffic heading North. For anyone local they know that the speed slows after junction 18, vehicles prepare to leave from this point and stay in the 'slow' lane to ensure they can be in the queue and be able to get off at junction 19. By including this as part of the project a major 'pinch point' is dealt with and regional traffic can continue to be free flowing. Without it rat running will continue via Hammonds Road through Boreham. If for cost and business case reasons the inclusion of a three lane or dedicated slip road between 18 and 19 on the North bound side is not possible now - can the additional alterations to the Boreham interchange include / future proof this as a long term solution that can cost effectively be delivered at a later date. Construction standards - HGV vehicles servicing the project should all be of a minimum of Euro 6 standard. A percentage of construction vehicles and machinary should be electric. It is assumed that most work will be at night so reversing notifications should be effective but considerate too. Construction Vehicles should not need to use local roads to access sites or travel between them. When road closures are in place staff should be supported with maps of hte alternative route, contact numbers for complaints and website for more information of the project. This both protects staff on site and gives good customer service in what can be a stressful situation. WHY is the work on the Boreham Interchange being re done for this project??? Bridge construction work - timings, communication and co-ordination that keeps local people informed and takes into account other construction projects and thier impact. In summary - I get that junction 20A needs to be closed. I appreciate that an enhanced junction is being put in place between Hatfield Peverel and Witham. I beleif is this will cause local traffic that previously used the A12 will now no longer do so, increasing traffic, congestion and risk for local residence. Without extensive physical and brave mitigation there is no incentive for travellers to go the opposite way to then return to reach southern destinations. The A12 widening project should offer resources to implement these mitigation.