Update on impact of roadworks at the Bridge on Sandon Bank, with reference to Casey Bridge in Salt Village.

This matter was discussed at length at the Parish Council’s last Parish Council Meeting on Wednesday 3^rd July 2024. Please see Minutes published on the Agendas and Minutes Section.

Following extensive correspondence on the following day with Staffordshire County Council Traffic and Network, the Parish Council have been advised by them as follows:

Traffic and Network staff deal with diversions and planning around restrictive works and they get a great deal of representation regarding diversion routes and increased conflicting traffic on side roads in villages.

Any road works will inevitably lead to inconvenience, delays, and frustration for road users, often leading to drivers endeavouring to seek the most efficient route possible to get to their chosen destination, regardless of the wider consequences.

Any diversion route often has undesirable repercussions for residents, who may be impacted by increased traffic usage of streets as part of official diversion routes, or unofficial diversions by drivers attempting to circumvent traffic delays seeking an alternative self-chosen route.

Please be assured that every effort possible is made to minimize disruption, to choose a route that is considered the safest, most appropriate route available.

Whilst a diversion route will be agreed and in general reflects the classification of the road closed, diversion routes are only advisory and public highways are intended to accommodate a variety of traffic types. Ultimately it is up to drivers to decide which alternative routes are best for them. They may not always agree with the official diversion route, particularly if it is considered overly inconvenient or lengthy.

Appropriate measures are undertaken to encourage official route usage and to discourage inappropriate paths.

However, diversion routes can only be advisory.

It is important to stress that any inappropriate use of roads not part of the official diversion route is not within the control of the highway authority or any third-party authority responsible for the works.

It is normally not possible for a temporary weight restriction to be imposed, nor is it normally possible to impose temporary speed limit variations other than in the immediate vicinity of works.

A road closure may be an option however this will also restrict local residents.

From experience, unless a road is physically blocked, drivers will often ignore signage.

To conclude Traffic and Network have advised the following.

· Road closures can only normally be imposed by means of a variety of Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO).

· There are restrictions on what may be termed normal orders – these require publication, notice periods, legal processes etc. all of which incur costs.

· A normal order would not be able to be processed in time before the works are scheduled to finish.(on the 19^th July)

· Emergency TRO’s are possible, however these have strict qualification criteria such as immediate danger to life, Significant loss of property etc. Again, these also have significant cost attachment.

· The situation as described in Salt Village would not qualify for such measures.

· Traffic and Network frequently receive representation from parishes, residents, and alike along similar lines to your correspondence and Yours is certainly not a unique issue.

· From experience, were a road to be shut, drivers are simply likely seek another equally inappropriate route elsewhere leading to further calls for road closures.

10th July 2024

 ----------------------------------

UPDATED IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL HIGHWAYS re Future Planned Repairs at the Bridge on Sandon Bank 

Staffordshire County Council Traffic and Network team advise

"The works have hit some issues and now require more remedials than originally thought. As such, the two way signals will be in situ until 24^th June where the closure of the bridge will commence – please note this could be subject to change however it is unlikely to be before this date.

We have spoken to the structures team already and requested that signage be deployed at various locations around accesses to Salt village to try and deter people from using this as a shorter diversion route. I'll contact the engineer dealing with the works now to ensure this request is being actioned as this was originally requested back in January. I will also see if I can get details of where they will be placing them so the parish can comment on whether any further signage is required/can be placed in more prominent locations."