VIDEO: West Berkshire Council's resurfacing work on Andover Road angers residents
Resurfacing work on a Newbury road has angered residents who believe the council haven’t taken them fully into consideration.
Andover Road closed on Monday until Wednesda next week, so that Volker Highways can resurface the carriageway on behalf of West Berkshire Council.
The work is also part of the council’s active travel scheme which is being implemented on the northern part of Andover Road, creating a widened route for cyclists off the carriageway between St John’s Roundabout to opposite 20 Andover Road.
The council has also removed “numerous obsolete street furniture so the route is now clearer for both pedestrians and cyclists”.
One couple who live on the road were only made aware of the work by letter last Thursday.
They were angered by the council’s lack of communication and consultation.
One woman, who didn’t wish to be named, said: “I think the council have given very little thought to people who have lived here for a long, long time.
“They’ve made no concessions for us in terms of parking.
“We’ve had no contact with the local councillors.”
However, the council stated that large electronic variable message signs were erected two weeks before, on Monday, July 18, warning residents of the works.
Residents also fear that following the completion of the resurfacing, double yellow lines will be painted on the road side, preventing them from parking by their homes.
“Will it devalue our house price?” the woman also said.
“It’s a four-bedroom family house. Who’s going to buy it with no parking?”
West Berkshire Council said it had informed residents about the intended works for the active travel scheme and of the possibility of double yellow lines being implemented.
A spokesperson for the council said: “There were proposed double yellow lines shown on the north side of Andover Road, but the comment pointing to them stated they were proposed and are subject to the Traffic Regulation Order process.
“The West Berkshire Council traffic management team are yet to advertise the proposed double yellow lines so the existing arrangement will remain (no double yellows) and the TRO process followed.”
The spokesperson also said that a new bus stop had been created along the road, freeing up residents parking in the bus stop’s former location in a layby opposite Carnarvon Place.
However, Andover Road residents fear that this new bus stop location could create further congestion as it is along the road rather than being in a layby.
