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WELFORD ACTION GROUP – Update July 08

CATTHORPE JUNCTION CONSULTATION

The work that was due to commence in March this year at the miserable junction of the A14, M1 and M6 at Catthorpe has been delayed. This junction gives a massive problem to us in Welford as well as being a serious safety hazard. A new consultation has begun and we have included one of the consultation documents with this update. We urge everyone to complete the response form in the centre of the booklet to give your opinion on which scheme should be chosen.

The action group sees little differentiation in the proposed schemes and their likely impact on Welford. If you believe that the scheme should allow drivers to join the M1 Southbound, then you should choose the Blue scheme. We believe the scheme that would cause the least delays and has the potential for the least number of accidents is the Red scheme. We have no views on which are the best local road schemes as we think they have little impact on Welford.

Please take the time to complete the form. We encourage people to make the following comments in the “Additional Comments” box, or include it in a written note:

1. During the reconstruction period, there should be no works traffic, or movement of plant or materials along the A5199 through Welford village.
2. Whichever scheme is chosen, there should be additional lengths of hard shoulder introduced for a minimum of 2 miles on the A14 in both directions to ensure that any incidents that occur where roads merge or separate are easily reached by the emergency services.

NCC TO MAKE A DECISION

After years of the action group pressing for a decision about the fate of the A5199 at Welford, Councillor Bob Seery will be making a members decision some time in July.

His decision as the NCC Cabinet member with responsibility for highways will be based on a detailed report to be produced by officers. The report will be available to the public 5 days before an open meeting where the decision will be made.

One of the options to be given in the report will be an Amenity Weight Restriction Order. Members of the action group will be present to speak about the issues and in particular the aggressive approach Leicestershire County Council has taken to roads policy despite the impact on neighbouring counties. A petition to Bob Seery is being produced and will be passed door-to-door over the next few days.

We have received immense support from members of the Parish Council and, in particular, our county councillor Catherine Boardman who has been pressing extremely hard for a detailed report and decision.