Motion on behalf of the Conservative and East Havering Residents’ Groups

Following the recent notification from Transport for London that the Ardleigh Green Bridge (A127) replacement works will not now be complete until the Spring of 2019, rather than the previously notified date of December 2017, this Council expresses its deep dissatisfaction with the situation and agrees to write to the Mayor of London, with a copy to the Secretary of State for Transport, conveying this Council’s disappointment and to seek further explanation and clarification in respect of the delay, including the following matters:

a.    A full explanation giving the reasons for the 15-month delay and how this was not foreseen at the project planning stage?

b.    What measures are being taken to expedite the completion of the works?

c.    This junction is a vital route through our borough, carrying considerable amounts of traffic. The ongoing delays has created rat-runs in nearby residential roads creating significant inconvenience, pollution and increased traffic flow for residents to contend with. What measures will be put in place to mitigate against this inconvenience until the Spring of 2019?

d.    What compensatory measures will be put in place against the loss of trade and significant inconvenience endured by local businesses affected by the ongoing works?

e.    What are the cost implications for the over-run of the project, originally budgeted at £32m, and how will this be funded?

f.    Given the considerable delay, how will this impact on the proposed improvement works at Gallows Corner (A127/A12)?

Due to the lateness of the hour, this matter was dealt with on a vote only basis. The motion on behalf of the Conservative and East Havering Residents’ Groups was AGREED by 51 votes to 0 (see division 5).

RESOLVED:

Following the recent notification from Transport for London that the Ardleigh Green Bridge (A127) replacement works will not now be complete until the Spring of 2019, rather than the previously notified date of December 2017, this Council expresses its deep dissatisfaction with the situation and agrees to write to the Mayor of London, with a copy to the Secretary of State for Transport, conveying this Council’s disappointment and to seek further explanation and clarification in respect of the delay, including the following matters:

a.    A full explanation giving the reasons for the 15-month delay and how this was not foreseen at the project planning stage?

b.    What measures are being taken to expedite the completion of the works?

c.    This junction is a vital route through our borough, carrying considerable amounts of traffic. The ongoing delays has created rat-runs in nearby residential roads creating significant inconvenience, pollution and increased traffic flow for residents to contend with. What measures will be put in place to mitigate against this inconvenience until the Spring of 2019?

d.    What compensatory measures will be put in place against the loss of trade and significant inconvenience endured by local businesses affected by the ongoing works?

e.    What are the cost implications for the over-run of the project, originally budgeted at £32m, and how will this be funded?

f.    Given the considerable delay, how will this impact on the proposed improvement works at Gallows Corner (A127/A12)?