VILLAGER  ANGER OVER LANE’S TRASHED VERGES

Damaged verges had variety of wildflowers says Falcutt man

By Roseanne Edwards

A villager in Falcutt, near Helmdon, wants to force Anglian Water to re-seed trashed verges on a lane hat has been used as a rat run.

Simon Harris said Anglian Water closed Station Road, Helmdon, for three months to replace a water main.

A seven mile road diversion via Sulgrave was put in place but traffic was allowed to take a short cut along the single track Falcutt road.

“The lane is heavily used by walkers, riders, joggers and dog walkers and usually has a traffic flow of about 20 – 40 movements a day.

“Following the closure of Station Road the traffic movements increased to around hundred a day which included HGVs.”

Mr Harris said he does not believe traffic or risk assessments, or a traffic management plan, were carried out and as a result the verges, which had wild flowers and grasses, had been trashed.

He claims Anglian Water refuses to commit to reinstatement of the verges.  And, he fears Northants Highways may asphalt over the damage, preventing any growth and increasing the traffic speed.

An inspection meeting has been arranged but Anglian Water will not allow Mr Harris to attend on the basis they cannot guarantee his safety.

“I am concerned decisions are being made affecting us and without our knowledge,” he said.  He said trees and hedges ran along the lane and the verges had a variety of fauna and flora.

Parish councillor Danny Moody, who is representing Falcutt at the inspection, said Anglian Water had worked with the community to minimize disruption and would report back to Falcutt residents.   He said the damage had been caused by drivers failing to follow the official diversion, which Anglian Water said had to be on roads of a similar type to the closed road.

An Anglian Water sp0okesman said the damage was caused by road users ignoring official diversion signs, despite additional traffic management measures.

“In order to assess the carnage caused, we will be liaising with the local highways authority and councils to determine what can be done to rectify the damage.”

The Banbury Guardian – 28 November, 2019