Baffled residents confused over future of Hadleigh road layout

10:20am Friday 25th January 2013 in Local News

What's going where? - Neil Hamper in Hadleigh town centre What's going where? - Neil Hamper in Hadleigh town centre

A NEW roundabout could be installed in Hadleigh town centre as part of £60million regeneration plans, sparking confusion over what the final road layout will be.

Introducing two-way traffic along High Road and restricting traffic in London Road between Rectory Road and Hadleigh Old Fire Station feature at the heart of the masterplan, which aims to boost trade and revitalise the town.

Critics claim the move will lead to heavy congestion and roads such as Church Road and Scrub Lane becoming rat runs for motorists seeking to avoid the A13.

Now, residents have confessed to feeling baffled after being told last week considerations are being made to introduce a roundabout near Hadleigh Old Fire Station.

Neil Hamper, 70, of Benfleet Road, Hadleigh, said: “Introducing a roundabout and two-way traffic on the High Road will just cause gridlocks on the road. People already have trouble getting out of Homestead Gardens, and this will only make it worse.

"At first we thought London Road was to be pedestrianised, then that access to the Southend-bound A13 from London Road would only be for emergency vehicles, now a roundabout. For heaven’s sake we just want to know what’s going on.”

The move could mean drivers travelling from Rectory Road into London Road wanting to go towards Southend will have to turn right in the opposite direction, past the fire station and round the roundabout back left onto the High Road.

Mystery surrounds what the final road layout will be until the results of traffic survey, undertaken by Essex County Council in October, emerge.
 

Councillor Derrick Louis, cabinet member for highways and transportation at Essex County Council, said: “Essex County Council supports Castle Point in its ambitions to regenerate Hadleigh Town Centre and will do its utmost to ensure the highway proposals are the best option for Hadleigh residents and visitors.”

Castle Point Council confirmed additional analysis is being carried out following the survey to assess the viability of the traffic layout and its impact on the wider road network which is expected to be released in March.
 

Comments (16)

10:34am Fri 25 Jan 13

hadleighhag says...

Hadleigh is already a bottle neck for traffic with 4 lanes available, utterly ridiculous to consider reducing it to 2 !!!! When its been backed up in the past buses have been squeezing through the westwood estate to avoid the traffic and the side roads too become gridlocked. Only 2 years ago a large lorry went through Commonhall Lane and ripped down the electricity cables!!! I hope the traffic survey is carried out at a sensible time of the day ie rush-hour.
Hadleigh is already a bottle neck for traffic with 4 lanes available, utterly ridiculous to consider reducing it to 2 !!!! When its been backed up in the past buses have been squeezing through the westwood estate to avoid the traffic and the side roads too become gridlocked. Only 2 years ago a large lorry went through Commonhall Lane and ripped down the electricity cables!!! I hope the traffic survey is carried out at a sensible time of the day ie rush-hour. hadleighhag

10:37am Fri 25 Jan 13

Russ13 says...

Story aside that has got to be one of the cheesiest/cliché photos EVER!!!

Has the guy lost his hat? lol
Story aside that has got to be one of the cheesiest/cliché photos EVER!!! Has the guy lost his hat? lol Russ13

11:34am Fri 25 Jan 13

Eric Whim says...

Russ13 wrote:
Story aside that has got to be one of the cheesiest/cliché photos EVER!!!

Has the guy lost his hat? lol
It's Arfur MoBot isn't it?
[quote][p][bold]Russ13[/bold] wrote: Story aside that has got to be one of the cheesiest/cliché photos EVER!!! Has the guy lost his hat? lol[/p][/quote]It's Arfur MoBot isn't it? Eric Whim

11:35am Fri 25 Jan 13

InTheKnowOk says...

Russ13 wrote:
Story aside that has got to be one of the cheesiest/cliché photos EVER!!!

Has the guy lost his hat? lol
Don't be silly, he's baffled as to why it's gonna cost 60 mil, and why it needs changing in the first place ...

I ask where is this money coming from? and if they have this kind of dosh, then why isn't something being done to repair the roads and footpaths .. Why isn't something being done to bring life into Hadleigh? All we see are hairdressers, nail bars, takeaways and so on .. That's not going to bring anyone into the town, if it wasn't for Morrisons who would shop there? .. Building this roundabout isn't going to boost trade !!!!! What a joke !!!!!!!!
[quote][p][bold]Russ13[/bold] wrote: Story aside that has got to be one of the cheesiest/cliché photos EVER!!! Has the guy lost his hat? lol[/p][/quote]Don't be silly, he's baffled as to why it's gonna cost 60 mil, and why it needs changing in the first place ... I ask where is this money coming from? and if they have this kind of dosh, then why isn't something being done to repair the roads and footpaths .. Why isn't something being done to bring life into Hadleigh? All we see are hairdressers, nail bars, takeaways and so on .. That's not going to bring anyone into the town, if it wasn't for Morrisons who would shop there? .. Building this roundabout isn't going to boost trade !!!!! What a joke !!!!!!!! InTheKnowOk

12:02pm Fri 25 Jan 13

pembury53 says...

hadleighhag wrote:
Hadleigh is already a bottle neck for traffic with 4 lanes available, utterly ridiculous to consider reducing it to 2 !!!! When its been backed up in the past buses have been squeezing through the westwood estate to avoid the traffic and the side roads too become gridlocked. Only 2 years ago a large lorry went through Commonhall Lane and ripped down the electricity cables!!! I hope the traffic survey is carried out at a sensible time of the day ie rush-hour.
But surely the bottle neck is because 4 lanes already have to become 2, past the church (towards southend) The problems are mostly caused by all the morons rushing up the right hand side with no intention of turning right by the church or into Lidl... I notice though that they manage to get the term "rat run" in the article ! A meaningless expression for using the road as perfectly entitled to.....
[quote][p][bold]hadleighhag[/bold] wrote: Hadleigh is already a bottle neck for traffic with 4 lanes available, utterly ridiculous to consider reducing it to 2 !!!! When its been backed up in the past buses have been squeezing through the westwood estate to avoid the traffic and the side roads too become gridlocked. Only 2 years ago a large lorry went through Commonhall Lane and ripped down the electricity cables!!! I hope the traffic survey is carried out at a sensible time of the day ie rush-hour.[/p][/quote]But surely the bottle neck is because 4 lanes already have to become 2, past the church (towards southend) The problems are mostly caused by all the morons rushing up the right hand side with no intention of turning right by the church or into Lidl... I notice though that they manage to get the term "rat run" in the article ! A meaningless expression for using the road as perfectly entitled to..... pembury53

3:47pm Fri 25 Jan 13

iluvmrking says...

pembury53 wrote:
hadleighhag wrote:
Hadleigh is already a bottle neck for traffic with 4 lanes available, utterly ridiculous to consider reducing it to 2 !!!! When its been backed up in the past buses have been squeezing through the westwood estate to avoid the traffic and the side roads too become gridlocked. Only 2 years ago a large lorry went through Commonhall Lane and ripped down the electricity cables!!! I hope the traffic survey is carried out at a sensible time of the day ie rush-hour.
But surely the bottle neck is because 4 lanes already have to become 2, past the church (towards southend) The problems are mostly caused by all the morons rushing up the right hand side with no intention of turning right by the church or into Lidl... I notice though that they manage to get the term "rat run" in the article ! A meaningless expression for using the road as perfectly entitled to.....
True. I always stick on the left side all the way from the Bus Depot through to Lidl, yet always get rammed at the Church traffic lights by the old Woolworths by someone who is too important to wait.
[quote][p][bold]pembury53[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]hadleighhag[/bold] wrote: Hadleigh is already a bottle neck for traffic with 4 lanes available, utterly ridiculous to consider reducing it to 2 !!!! When its been backed up in the past buses have been squeezing through the westwood estate to avoid the traffic and the side roads too become gridlocked. Only 2 years ago a large lorry went through Commonhall Lane and ripped down the electricity cables!!! I hope the traffic survey is carried out at a sensible time of the day ie rush-hour.[/p][/quote]But surely the bottle neck is because 4 lanes already have to become 2, past the church (towards southend) The problems are mostly caused by all the morons rushing up the right hand side with no intention of turning right by the church or into Lidl... I notice though that they manage to get the term "rat run" in the article ! A meaningless expression for using the road as perfectly entitled to.....[/p][/quote]True. I always stick on the left side all the way from the Bus Depot through to Lidl, yet always get rammed at the Church traffic lights by the old Woolworths by someone who is too important to wait. iluvmrking

5:51pm Fri 25 Jan 13

ColeS. says...

And... talking of the left hand lane.... did you know that legally you are supposed to use the 'Bus Lane' at all times except when indicated on the bus lane sign post (7.30 am - 9.30 am and 4.30 - 6.30 pm) and that you can stay in it right down to the lights at the Church/Icelands (and very often the left hand lane lights change quicker...)... thought I'd pass that gem on...
And... talking of the left hand lane.... did you know that legally you are supposed to use the 'Bus Lane' at all times except when indicated on the bus lane sign post (7.30 am - 9.30 am and 4.30 - 6.30 pm) and that you can stay in it right down to the lights at the Church/Icelands (and very often the left hand lane lights change quicker...)... thought I'd pass that gem on... ColeS.

6:11pm Fri 25 Jan 13

iluvmrking says...

Off topic, but the bus lane in Canvey one-way system must be the ONLY bus lane in the country which everyone uses 24/7. Never enforced.
Off topic, but the bus lane in Canvey one-way system must be the ONLY bus lane in the country which everyone uses 24/7. Never enforced. iluvmrking

6:36pm Fri 25 Jan 13

GentleGiant says...

This has to be a joke.

Mind you if Derrick Louis is involved from ECC, then maybe not.

After all he is responsible for the ongoing fiasco at Sadlers Farm, which he has promised will be finished by January 31st. Somehow I doubt it. So we will get more excuses from him and a new date....
This has to be a joke. Mind you if Derrick Louis is involved from ECC, then maybe not. After all he is responsible for the ongoing fiasco at Sadlers Farm, which he has promised will be finished by January 31st. Somehow I doubt it. So we will get more excuses from him and a new date.... GentleGiant

9:20pm Fri 25 Jan 13

Diannah says...

Yay - another roundabout. Maybe we will get another giant phallic symbol built there when the next snows arrive. Must say, I was most impressed by the one on the magnet roundabout last week!
Yay - another roundabout. Maybe we will get another giant phallic symbol built there when the next snows arrive. Must say, I was most impressed by the one on the magnet roundabout last week! Diannah

6:13pm Sat 26 Jan 13

John T Pharro says...

iluvmrking wrote:
Off topic, but the bus lane in Canvey one-way system must be the ONLY bus lane in the country which everyone uses 24/7. Never enforced.
True, but off topic as you say. Not to add the looks you get from drivers in the bus lane, when you indicate to pull over left if you drive correctly.
Have to say your post name, do you really? If you do, boy are you in a minority.
[quote][p][bold]iluvmrking[/bold] wrote: Off topic, but the bus lane in Canvey one-way system must be the ONLY bus lane in the country which everyone uses 24/7. Never enforced.[/p][/quote]True, but off topic as you say. Not to add the looks you get from drivers in the bus lane, when you indicate to pull over left if you drive correctly. Have to say your post name, do you really? If you do, boy are you in a minority. John T Pharro

11:08pm Sat 26 Jan 13

Letmetryagain says...

iluvmrking wrote:
Off topic, but the bus lane in Canvey one-way system must be the ONLY bus lane in the country which everyone uses 24/7. Never enforced.
If it's anything like the bus lane in Hadleigh, anyone can use it during the day. It is only a bus lane for a couple of hours in the morning and evening.

I've had a couple of near misses with people not realizing this, and cutting in front of me to turn left into Rectory Road, from the middle lane.
[quote][p][bold]iluvmrking[/bold] wrote: Off topic, but the bus lane in Canvey one-way system must be the ONLY bus lane in the country which everyone uses 24/7. Never enforced.[/p][/quote]If it's anything like the bus lane in Hadleigh, anyone can use it during the day. It is only a bus lane for a couple of hours in the morning and evening. I've had a couple of near misses with people not realizing this, and cutting in front of me to turn left into Rectory Road, from the middle lane. Letmetryagain

9:32am Mon 28 Jan 13

Eleanor Rigby says...

Hadleigh does not have a 'High Road', it has a High Street.
Hadleigh does not have a 'High Road', it has a High Street. Eleanor Rigby

11:23am Mon 28 Jan 13

HadleighBoy says...

All part of the Castle Point Madcap scheme for the redevelopment of Hadleigh. When are thye going to realise Hadleigh is a through road it will not work they are not going to attract the shops they think why would Next etc want to come to Hadleigh. Lets be a bit more realistic and spend the money mor esensibly instead of on another **** up.
Also can anyone explain why Mr Hamper is becoming the poster boy for Hadleigh?
All part of the Castle Point Madcap scheme for the redevelopment of Hadleigh. When are thye going to realise Hadleigh is a through road it will not work they are not going to attract the shops they think why would Next etc want to come to Hadleigh. Lets be a bit more realistic and spend the money mor esensibly instead of on another **** up. Also can anyone explain why Mr Hamper is becoming the poster boy for Hadleigh? HadleighBoy

10:56pm Mon 28 Jan 13

Local yachtsman says...

This is change for the sake of change when what is really needed is a pedestrain underpass by the church and the dualing on the east bound lane continued from Lidl to Thames Drive. It will happen one day, when we finally get Councillors with a grain of common sense.
.
Sorry Diannah, I think my grandson and his friends may have been responsible for that (can't tell him off too much tho' as he works hard and he's a good lad, apart from his taste in snow sculpture).
This is change for the sake of change when what is really needed is a pedestrain underpass by the church and the dualing on the east bound lane continued from Lidl to Thames Drive. It will happen one day, when we finally get Councillors with a grain of common sense. . Sorry Diannah, I think my grandson and his friends may have been responsible for that (can't tell him off too much tho' as he works hard and he's a good lad, apart from his taste in snow sculpture). Local yachtsman

10:20pm Fri 1 Feb 13

Diannah says...

Local yachtsman wrote:
This is change for the sake of change when what is really needed is a pedestrain underpass by the church and the dualing on the east bound lane continued from Lidl to Thames Drive. It will happen one day, when we finally get Councillors with a grain of common sense.
.
Sorry Diannah, I think my grandson and his friends may have been responsible for that (can't tell him off too much tho' as he works hard and he's a good lad, apart from his taste in snow sculpture).
Well, the boys done good - made a lot of people smile! Quite a few photos on facebook too, I believe.
[quote][p][bold]Local yachtsman[/bold] wrote: This is change for the sake of change when what is really needed is a pedestrain underpass by the church and the dualing on the east bound lane continued from Lidl to Thames Drive. It will happen one day, when we finally get Councillors with a grain of common sense. . Sorry Diannah, I think my grandson and his friends may have been responsible for that (can't tell him off too much tho' as he works hard and he's a good lad, apart from his taste in snow sculpture).[/p][/quote]Well, the boys done good - made a lot of people smile! Quite a few photos on facebook too, I believe. Diannah

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