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UPDATED: Enough is enough: Stop the Upton bypass work now, says councillor (From Bournemouth Echo)
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UPDATED: Enough is enough: Stop the Upton bypass work now, says councillor
4:00pm Wednesday 7th November 2012 in News By Diana Henderson
Enough is enough: Stop the Upton bypass work now, says councillor
A leading councillor has called on highway chiefs to abandon controversial roadworks on the A35 Upton bypass after a day of traffic chaos yesterday.
Thousands of motorists were snarled up in chaos as roads were blocked by congestion.
The repairs and maintenance by Dorset County Council started on the day that the Sandbanks ferry was taken out of service for five weeks.
It meant that drivers trying to get into Poole and Bournemouth from the west faced huge delays and frustration.
“Now they have seen the chaos it’s causing, why can’t they say it’s too much and call it off?” said Cllr Fred Drane, who represents Lytchett on the county council.
After the first morning of Upton bypass work with roads gridlocked in all directions, he is calling for the scheme to be postponed until another time.
Cllr Drane intends to raise the issue at the full county council meeting on Thursday.
“They said they would work at night but that’s completely useless as the road is still coned off during the day and no work is being done,” he said.
Keep track of the traffic and let us know what you think in our live story
However the county council said while resurfacing work will take place at night repairs to the Policeman’s Lane bridge is being carried out in daylight.
Journeys to work took hours instead of minutes yesterday as hard-pressed drivers were hit by a triple whammy on the roads around Poole.
And as furious and frustrated drivers sought explanations, sorry seemed the hardest word for the county council whose cabinet member for transport, Cllr Peter Finney said there would “inevitably” be delays and drivers should allow “plenty of extra” time for their journeys.
The start of 15 weeks of engineering work by Dorset County Council – which brought the A35 Upton bypass down to a single lane eastward – coincided with Wessex Water’s 10 weeks of work to replace a water main in Blandford Road with a one-way section as well as the removal of the Sandbanks ferry for its biennial repaint and refit.
“Where is the co-ordination?” said Alison Ashford of Intec Printing Solutions in Hamworthy. “My 40-minute journey to work took one-and-a-half hours this morning.
“To arrive late for work on one day is bad enough but even if staff leave ridiculously early to get in on time it is still likely that they will arrive late.
“To expect to have to endure such unnecessary delays for the next six weeks is completely unacceptable in a supposedly developed country. Why on earth can’t these road works be carried out at night like elsewhere in the world?
”Miles of traffic jams clogged country roads as frustrated motorists sought to avoid congestion on the Upton bypass but just succeeded in creating more.
Blandford Road North was queued back past the Limberlost traffic lights and vehicles wound round the bends of Randalls Hill as drivers found there was no escape.
“It’s a pain,” said Sarajane Clark, 25, who lives in Creekmoor and works as a cleaner and waitress at the Bakers Arms.
“It took half-an-hour to get from Lytchett to Upton to take my child to nursery, rather than five minutes.”
Colleague Carly Goddard, 23, who lives on Turlin Moor said: “I’m just dreading going home. I have got to go along the dual-carriageway and all the way through town to get there.”
UPDATE: The county council are pledging to remove the cones to allow traffic to rejoin the carriageway at the junction with the A350. Resurfacing work should be finished by next Friday. Blandford Road, however is now to be closed in both directions after a sewer collapsed. All the details in our live story
Comments(46)
Adrian XX
says...
8:45am Wed 7 Nov 12
However, I think some of the people complaining would be better off walking or cycling. Creekmoor to The Bakers Arms is only an hour on foot or a 15-20 minutes by bicycle. If you are sitting in jams, consider a method of travel powered by your legs. It will get you fit as well as getting you to work quicker.
Old Colonial
says...
9:02am Wed 7 Nov 12
County Council, Highways Agency and others just ride roughshod over them.
jeebuscripes
says...
9:03am Wed 7 Nov 12
Victor_Meldrew_Lives!
says...
9:15am Wed 7 Nov 12
Jetwasher
says...
9:18am Wed 7 Nov 12
Iansalad
says...
9:45am Wed 7 Nov 12
Andrew Martin the head honcho at Dorset CC is conveniently on annual leave until 19th Nov (typical). However lets all call Adrian Norcombe - Group Manager Construction on 01305 228117 and see if we can't persuade him into some immediate action.
tipsypittsy
says...
10:38am Wed 7 Nov 12
Thebig18
says...
10:42am Wed 7 Nov 12
I have and the weight is falling off!!!!
Close the Holes Bay too whilst you're at it!!!!
Imaximus
says...
11:00am Wed 7 Nov 12
sean1979
says...
11:06am Wed 7 Nov 12
Hector2004
says...
11:49am Wed 7 Nov 12
thevisitor
says...
12:03pm Wed 7 Nov 12
Iansalad wrote:Don't mess about call the Chief Executive Debbie Ward directly on 01305 224198. The Chief Executive is the senior officer who leads and takes responsibility for the work of the 16,000 paid staff of the council, who run the local authority on a day to day basis. She should get herself on site at 8am tmrw morning and see what a total shambles she has created.
Open up the 2 lanes east of the A350 Upton junction and halve the chaos at the single biggest pinch point from where it all backs up everywhere. It's blindingly obvious isn't it?
Andrew Martin the head honcho at Dorset CC is conveniently on annual leave until 19th Nov (typical). However lets all call Adrian Norcombe - Group Manager Construction on 01305 228117 and see if we can't persuade him into some immediate action.
hamworthygirl
says...
12:17pm Wed 7 Nov 12
Adrian XX wrote:|Thats a good sentiment but my daughter has to get 4 children to get to Hamworthy schools and has to drive via upton at the moment due to turlin moor having only on exit (She lives on turlin moor at the moment) She then has to be at work in Merley by 9am so just how is she suppose to cycle, maybe she should just not work or change the kids schools? the children cannot all cycle the youngest is 4. Walking to Merely its 8 miles as I know as i walked this summer , time would not allow it.
It is very stupid not to coordinate with the ferry company.
However, I think some of the people complaining would be better off walking or cycling. Creekmoor to The Bakers Arms is only an hour on foot or a 15-20 minutes by bicycle. If you are sitting in jams, consider a method of travel powered by your legs. It will get you fit as well as getting you to work quicker.
Its a complete nightmare and a ridiculous situation that should never have been allowed to happen.
Letcommonsenseprevail
says...
12:36pm Wed 7 Nov 12
jeebuscripes wrote:Lemmings? What have they got to do with it?
HA, lemmings!
Letcommonsenseprevail
says...
12:37pm Wed 7 Nov 12
thevisitor wrote:Debbie Ward needs to start looking for a new job.................
Iansalad wrote: Open up the 2 lanes east of the A350 Upton junction and halve the chaos at the single biggest pinch point from where it all backs up everywhere. It's blindingly obvious isn't it? Andrew Martin the head honcho at Dorset CC is conveniently on annual leave until 19th Nov (typical). However lets all call Adrian Norcombe - Group Manager Construction on 01305 228117 and see if we can't persuade him into some immediate action.Don't mess about call the Chief Executive Debbie Ward directly on 01305 224198. The Chief Executive is the senior officer who leads and takes responsibility for the work of the 16,000 paid staff of the council, who run the local authority on a day to day basis. She should get herself on site at 8am tmrw morning and see what a total shambles she has created.
.
jeebuscripes
says...
1:05pm Wed 7 Nov 12
Think to the future, look for alternatives. Live near your job, take the train, take the bus, cycle, your life's path has been chosen by you.
It is YOUR choice to sit in that traffic jam. Make positive changes. Don't blame others.
In Absentia
says...
1:13pm Wed 7 Nov 12
It always surprises me that some of these projects are not carried out during school summer holidays when rush hour traffic is a fraction of the normal volume.
thevisitor
says...
1:28pm Wed 7 Nov 12
thevisitor
says...
1:31pm Wed 7 Nov 12
ry he is still on the phone!!
Adrian XX
says...
1:40pm Wed 7 Nov 12
hamworthygirl wrote:I didn't say everyone should cycle, but if some did it would help them and the general situation!
Adrian XX wrote:|Thats a good sentiment but my daughter has to get 4 children to get to Hamworthy schools and has to drive via upton at the moment due to turlin moor having only on exit (She lives on turlin moor at the moment) She then has to be at work in Merley by 9am so just how is she suppose to cycle, maybe she should just not work or change the kids schools? the children cannot all cycle the youngest is 4. Walking to Merely its 8 miles as I know as i walked this summer , time would not allow it.
It is very stupid not to coordinate with the ferry company.
However, I think some of the people complaining would be better off walking or cycling. Creekmoor to The Bakers Arms is only an hour on foot or a 15-20 minutes by bicycle. If you are sitting in jams, consider a method of travel powered by your legs. It will get you fit as well as getting you to work quicker.
Its a complete nightmare and a ridiculous situation that should never have been allowed to happen.
Clearly it's almost impossible to cycle with four young children - there isn't really an alternative to driving.
Matthew_Y
says...
1:44pm Wed 7 Nov 12
Cordite
says...
1:50pm Wed 7 Nov 12
LetcommonsenseprevaiWhat do you expect.....its a women driver!
l wrote:
jeebuscripes wrote:Lemmings? What have they got to do with it?
HA, lemmings!
JFrampton
says...
2:02pm Wed 7 Nov 12
Sam Shepherd
says...
2:30pm Wed 7 Nov 12
thevisitor wrote:Afternoon all - we've just had this confirmed but we're being told it's not just peak times. More info over on the live story here http://bit.ly/T28AcK
My mate has just been on the phone. They are lifting the lane restrictions during peak times from tmrw. The cones wont be down until 9.15am!!! The DCC have just had a crisis meeting and the BBC are there now so it will be on the news I guess.
markymark3
says...
2:55pm Wed 7 Nov 12
mikeymagic2
says...
4:09pm Wed 7 Nov 12
ekimnoslen
says...
4:15pm Wed 7 Nov 12
Levy a commuting tax on miles driven each day to and from work except for those for whom road travel is an intrinsic part of the job. Send ALL children to nearest local school where practical.
Did Councillor Dane have anything to do with the Boscombe Reef and the Imax? Sounds possible.
ekimnoslen
says...
4:17pm Wed 7 Nov 12
Imaximus wrote:Yeah! Probably on the footpath!
cycle cycle cycle.....i'll wave as i cycle past you all.
ekimnoslen
says...
4:19pm Wed 7 Nov 12
jeebuscripes wrote:Couldn't agree more
You are not stuck in traffic, you ARE traffic.
Think to the future, look for alternatives. Live near your job, take the train, take the bus, cycle, your life's path has been chosen by you.
It is YOUR choice to sit in that traffic jam. Make positive changes. Don't blame others.
dorsetspeed
says...
4:28pm Wed 7 Nov 12
uk
Dorset Logic
says...
4:47pm Wed 7 Nov 12
goatty
says...
5:23pm Wed 7 Nov 12
jeebuscripes wrote:Moron
You are not stuck in traffic, you ARE traffic.
Think to the future, look for alternatives. Live near your job, take the train, take the bus, cycle, your life's path has been chosen by you.
It is YOUR choice to sit in that traffic jam. Make positive changes. Don't blame others.
Roband65
says...
7:07pm Wed 7 Nov 12
BunnyR
says...
7:25pm Wed 7 Nov 12
As everyone on the council, workers and councilors, are paid for by us, isn't it time we had a vote of no confidence and replaced the lot with a work force who realise they are there to serve the community.
dorsetspeed
says...
7:29pm Wed 7 Nov 12
BunnyR wrote:Please check out PooleTraffic.co.uk
It's about time someone at Dorchester purchased a map of Dorset. Perhaps they could then plan things. Surely it's not rocket science to mark major road works on a map and not allow twoo lots to take place within a set distance, say 10 miles.
As everyone on the council, workers and councilors, are paid for by us, isn't it time we had a vote of no confidence and replaced the lot with a work force who realise they are there to serve the community.
BunnyR
says...
7:37pm Wed 7 Nov 12
ekimnoslen wrote:That would be ideal. But we have to live in the real world, where not everyone can live next door to their place of work and many parents can't get their children into the nearest school.
This highlights the fact that too many people are commuting longish distances to work. Live closer to your place of work and travel a shorter distance, saving time and fuel or cycle or get the bus
Levy a commuting tax on miles driven each day to and from work except for those for whom road travel is an intrinsic part of the job. Send ALL children to nearest local school where practical.
Did Councillor Dane have anything to do with the Boscombe Reef and the Imax? Sounds possible.
The imax and the Reef are down to Bournemouth Council, absolutely nothing to do with Councillor Drane, who represents Upton on Purbeck Council.
APC303
says...
9:13pm Wed 7 Nov 12
dorsetspeed
says...
9:23pm Wed 7 Nov 12
APC303 wrote:I think most people understand that roadworks have to be done. It is things like:
There is always disruption when there are roadworks. It is almost impossible for there not to be. Get over yourselves. You'll likely be the same people who complain about poor quality of road surfaces.
-long distances of closes lanes with not a worker or any equipment in sight
-doing 3 large non-essential traffic projects in one area at once
-taking absurd lengths of time to do apparently simple projects.
.. that people are quite rightly angry about
BIGTONE
says...
11:30pm Wed 7 Nov 12
jeebuscripes
says...
8:30am Thu 8 Nov 12
goatty wrote:Ha.
jeebuscripes wrote:Moron
You are not stuck in traffic, you ARE traffic.
Think to the future, look for alternatives. Live near your job, take the train, take the bus, cycle, your life's path has been chosen by you.
It is YOUR choice to sit in that traffic jam. Make positive changes. Don't blame others.
I'm not sat in the traffic, I'm also not whingeing about being sat in traffic on the internet.
What percentage of your salary goes towards the full cost of that metal box you cherish so much?
Your arteries are hardening, the environment is being polluted and your bank balance is emptied.
Who's the moron?
Phixer
says...
12:20pm Thu 8 Nov 12
BIGTONE wrote:Tomorrow's Echo front page headline.
Fish has gone up this week.
Reader Echo
says...
4:42pm Thu 8 Nov 12
BIGTONE wrote:Sorry you have lost me with this one.
Fish has gone up this week.
What have fish got to do with road works?
portia6
says...
8:49pm Thu 8 Nov 12
would be interesting and, improve the
train service and lower the fares!
We could also do with a decent bike
shop and encourage more cycling!
Incidentally in America all school kids
have a marvelous yellow bus! Why is it
only the grammar school that has a
bus and who pays for that?
spooki
says...
2:15pm Mon 12 Nov 12
Thebig18 wrote:Do you expect me to walk 28 miles to get my child to her favourite place in Organford and back to Townsend? That's by choice though. People do actually live more than a few miles from their workplaces you know. I'm sure they don't choose to sit in traffic every morning for some fun. Instead of making sweeping comments and insulting peoples intelligence, why don't you put your time into something more constructive? You obviously have time to waste as you're on here making stupid comments.
Get on your push bikes fattys!!!!
I have and the weight is falling off!!!!
Close the Holes Bay too whilst you're at it!!!!
spooki
says...
2:19pm Mon 12 Nov 12
ekimnoslen wrote:Are you saying people should quit their jobs and get jobs closer to home? And of course parents have FULL control of where their children go to school...NOT. I had a great job but i had to catch two buses there and back. Should I have turned the job down for a crappy one closer to home? Buses get stuck in traffic jams too you know?
This highlights the fact that too many people are commuting longish distances to work. Live closer to your place of work and travel a shorter distance, saving time and fuel or cycle or get the bus
Levy a commuting tax on miles driven each day to and from work except for those for whom road travel is an intrinsic part of the job. Send ALL children to nearest local school where practical.
Did Councillor Dane have anything to do with the Boscombe Reef and the Imax? Sounds possible.
Cosmic Crusader says...
8:45am Wed 7 Nov 12