Inquiry call as halted roundabout works leave 'mess' for Coventry residents - The Coventry Observer

Inquiry call as halted roundabout works leave 'mess' for Coventry residents

Coventry Editorial 28th Jun, 2017 Updated: 28th Jun, 2017   0

COUNCILLORS are calling for an inquiry after council workers stopped work on a half-finished new roundabout – leaving a ‘mess’ and ongoing disruption.

Workers have ‘downed tools’ on the new junction on Broad Lane, say Coventry opposition councillors.

They say officials ordered them off site after it was decided water mains under the road will first have to be moved by Severn Trent.

The new roundabout is supposed to improve traffic flows at the junction near the former Woodlands Academy site.




The scheme has now been ‘thrown into turmoil’ with no clear finish date, say Conservative Woodlands ward councillors.

It follows problems with flood alleviation works in the area, which was scrapped.


Now the Woodlands councillors are calling for an inquiry to discover why the roundabout scheme went ahead without ‘proper structural checks and consultation with utility firms’.

Woodlands ward councillor and Leader of Coventry conservatives, Councillor Gary Ridley, said; “This project is an absolute fiasco – we need to know why it’s been managed so badly and why communication has been so poor. We’ve got no idea when this will be finished and what’s happened to our flood defence scheme. Residents are rightly concerned that the site, unfinished as it is, presents a real challenge for anyone with mobility issues.”

Speaking on the situation Woodlands Ward Councillor Julia Lepoidevin said; “Our clear priority is to get workers back on site so this project can be completed. However, soon afterwards there should be an enquiry if the Council are to restore a shred of public confidence.”

Fellow Woodlands ward Councillor Pete Male said: “There’s been a clear lack of planning and poor communication from the Council with other agencies and residents right from the start.”

A council spokesman said: “We are in close contact with people living near the junction and we wrote to them to explain why the work was set to be paused.

“We appreciate the patience of residents and are working with Severn Trent Water who are identifying how best to divert the water main that runs under the road.

“It’s quite complex but we hope to agree on the best approach very soon. As soon as its agreed our team is ready to get straight back on site to finish the job.”

 

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