Appendix I

 A120 STANSTED TO BRAINTREE BYPASS

Many members of the Public attended the meeting for this item.

The Chairman welcomed David Forkin and Brian Hoath from Essex County Council Highways department and Nick Boyle, Construction Manager and John Jarrett, both from Balfour Beatty.

Mr N Boyle gave a detailed account of how the new road will be constructed from Stansted through to Braintree over the next two years.  The new road will be 16 miles of dual carriageway with no roundabouts.  Mr Boyle explained that so far trees and hedges have been cleared and a Badger set has been relocated.  The topsoil has been stripped off and stored.  After the main earthworks have been carried out the topsoil will be replaced.  It is hoped that the bridges will be constructed this summer.  It is anticipated that the completion date for the new road will be January 2004 although some sections of the new road will open shortly before this date.

So far at the Dunmow South junction (the nearest to Barnston) the Chelmsford Road off slip road has been closed and the gas mains have just been diverted for the second time.  The water and telecoms cables will be diverted next.  Mr Boyle explained that the existing road will pass on to a new roundabout through an underpass and on to another roundabout, similar to the London Road at Great Notley.

The new A120 at Hoblongs will be on an embankment and will be 6-7metres higher than the existing road.  Mr Boyle explained the reason for this is that the road cannot be built below the existing road because of the River Chelmer.

One member of the public asked what soundproofing measures would be used.  Mr Boyle explained that the modern surfacing is much quieter than that formerly used and that various landscaping schemes will be put into practice.  Mr Hoath stated that although trees will be planted they would not act as a sound barrier.  Mr Hoath also stated that Hoblongs Cottages along with 14 other properties along the 16-mile stretch have been double-glazed to reduce noise levels. 

Mr Hoath stated that residents would hear an increase in noise if a road did not used to pass by their properties.  Some years ago Parliament recognised the effect new roads could have on areas and compensation can be payable, if after 12 months of the new road being built, claimants believe that they have been affected.  Anybody living within 300m of the new road is entitled to compensation; at greater distances cases are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

A member of the public stated that people are not after compensation but just quietness and asked whether a barrier similar to the one on the M11 has been considered?  Mr Hoath stated that a barrier would be of no benefit whatsoever.

Mrs S Flack asked the following questions:

1.         Trees have been chopped down, when are they going to be replaced?
2.         As a gesture of goodwill, are Highways department or Balfour Beatty planning on improving the existing footpath into Dunmow from Barnston?
3.         Having looked at the detailed plan, is the roundabout to the north smaller than the roundabout to the south of the road?
4.         If people feel that the new road has affected them, how long do they have to wait before they can apply for compensation?

In answer to Mrs Flack’s questions, Mr Boyle stated that ten times as many trees will be planted than have been felled.

It was confirmed that there would still be a footpath to Dunmow.  Mr D Ensor stated that the current one is not wide enough and extremely dangerous. This was unanimously agreed by everyone present at the meeting.  It was suggested that the footpath could be widened.  Mr Boyle stated that this would be outside of the project.  Members of the Parish Council suggested this could be included as compensation to Barnston.  Mr D Forkin stated that they would monitor the pattern of traffic and hopefully incorporate a new footpath.

A member of the public asked whether the A130 would be downgraded to a 'B' road once the new road is complete.  Mr Forkin stated that he is consulting locally on the possibility of downgrading the road.  He also stated that he personally feels that some heavy vehicles will prefer to use the new road rather than negotiate the Barnston bends.  It was believed that a weight limit is extremely difficult to enforce and there are no plans to improve the A130 at present.

A member of the public asked whether signposts could be put up at the Great Leighs by-pass now to take the traffic away from Barnston rather than wait for the new road to be built.  Mr Forkin replied that they would try their best but did not believe that they would be quick enough for the completion of the Great Leighs by-pass.  He stated that the public would be kept up-to-date via consultation and through the Parish Council.

A member of the public asked why the road couldn’t have been built to the north of Dunmow keeping the road in a straight line? It was explained that the whole area to the north of Dunmow is a conservation area.  Problems with levels would mean that the road would have to be 20 metres high and a longer bridges would be needed.

It was noted that a deer underpass has been included in the scheme at Ashgrove Woods as it is estimated that there are between 500-800 deer in the area. 

It was noted that the Flitch Way will be slightly diverted but people will still be able to access it.  Highways department stated that any footpath that is changed would be improved.

Mr D Ensor asked whether the A130 would need to be closed at all during construction of the new road.  It was noted that the northern roundabout would be built in two halves to ensure that the road remained open.  A traffic light system will be in place while this work is being carried out.

A member of the Barnston Village Hall Management Committee asked why contractors keep parking vehicles and equipment in the Village Hall car park and on grass verges without permission?  Mr D Forkin replied that such instances should be reported to the Transport Manager concerned for the particular contractors.

Mrs S Flack asked when the new mini roundabout at the High Easter Road would be completed.  Mr D Forkin stated that Highways department is now waiting for the electricity company to connect the lights.  Once this has been done, the road markings for the mini-roundabout will be completed.

The Chairman thanked both the representatives from County Highways department and Balfour Beatty for coming along to speak at the meeting and thanked the residents for taking the time to attend the meeting.

Mr J Jarrett informed the meeting that his role is to liaise with the public and Balfour Beatty and act on their calls as soon as possible.  He stated that there would be a series of exhibitions locally in the near future.

The meeting was closed to the public at 9.05pm.