MPs Concerns over Road Closure

ANGELA SMITH MP has written to the local council to complain over the proposed closure of Vaughton Hill Deepcar for 4 weeks.

Not only is she concerned that the major connection between Deepcar and the Stocksbridge By-pass may be closed for a considerable length of time, having an adverse affect on both residents of the area and local businesses, but also the lack of communication of these proposals.

She has asked the council whether alternatives have been considered to the full closure of the road. She has also asked why the council has not learned lessons from the closure of the A6102, when many local residents felt the communication of that closure and repair programme was totally inadequate.

While she applauds the use of the Area Panel in communicating the proposal, she is concerned that the meeting will take place 2 days after Yorkshire Water are due to start work and there seems to be confusion over who is responsible for passing on information.

Commenting on the plans to close the road, Angela said,

“It does seem that the council has not learned any lessons from the closure of the A6102, when many residents complained that information about the timetable for repair and the diversionary routes was not made easily accessible to them.I would have thought that notices and details of diversionary routes in local papers and in local shops would help, alongside radio announcements. I hope the council listens to complaints and acts to improve its management of road closures and repairs.”

Issued : 12 January 2009

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