Disruption in Wymondham's Station Road 27 times in one year

Station Road, a key road into Wymondham, has been closed repeatedly over the last 12 months as different companies carry out work in the area.

The ongoing problems - at a rate of more than two a month - have left drivers facing long delays at temporary traffic lights, as well as lengthy diversions, and caused mounting anger.

Locals in surrounding villages say the roadworks have forced them to travel twice as far to get in to the town, with some having to drive up to 12 miles extra.

And they have been warned that the disruption is likely to continue - with another major project in the pipeline.

The row has now caught the attention of Ben Goldsborough, MP for South Norfolk, who has called on Norfolk County Council to do more to mitigate the disruption.

There has been significant disruption in Station Road, Wymondham (Image: Submitted)

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN STATION ROAD? 

The road has been shut seven times over the last year for planned works by National Rail, Anglian Water and UK Power Networks, as well as emergency closures due to burst water mains.

Norfolk County Council has approved a further 20 applications for less disruptive roadworks. These have not involved its full closure but some have seen the introduction of temporary traffic lights.

This route is one of the only ways people living in the village of Silfield can get to Wymondham, and they are otherwise required to take a 12-mile detour to reach the town centre.

Locals also say the road closures are only signposted at the worksite itself and fail to warn drivers heading toward Wymondham of the obstruction, leading to traffic jams as cars attempt to reverse and go a different way. 

COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN

Ben Goldsborough, MP for South Norfolk, said he has requested a meeting with Norfolk County Council to address the concerns of locals, but this has yet to materialise. 

Ben Goldsborough, Labour MP for South Norfolk (Image: Denise Bradley)

Mr Goldsborough said: "The chaos and confusion caused by the poorly planned closure of Station Road has made residents lives a misery. Just when you think one set of works has completed another spring up.

"I’ve been working closely with residents and local councillors to ensure their voices are heard by Norfolk County Council.

"But despite requesting a meeting last month I am left, like our residents, none the wiser over the council's future plans to improve accessibility for those living on the Silfield side of town.

"My offer stands with Norfolk County Council: work with me and residents to ensure that we have safer more accessible streets for all."

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Suzanne Nuri-Nixon, mayor of the town and chair of Wymondham Town Council (Image: Submitted)

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Suzanne Nuri-Nixon, mayor of the town, added: "There has been a lack of communication between the companies doing these works and Norfolk County Council, who have been poor at informing us about them. 

"There has been a lot of upset, anger and frustration among residents who have had to take long detours. This impacts everything from the school run to medical deliveries."

WHAT NOW? 

While Mr Goldsborough and Norfolk County Council struggle to find a suitable date to meet and discuss the issue, further disruption is expected in the coming months due to the construction of a pedestrian subway at Wymondham Station.

A spokesman for Norfolk County Council said: "We understand the disruption and frustration that these works can cause, particularly when they take place on roads that require a significant diversion.

"Utility companies have a legal right to undertake work on the highway and we are unable to refuse permits except in very exceptional circumstances.  

"It is the responsibility of those undertaking the work to arrange the traffic management and communicate with those affected."