Construction has started
You may have noticed that construction has started on the Hawkenbury Farm site. Two weeks in and the problems have started mounting already. I think we are in for a bumpy ride over the next 3 years, if the last 2 weeks are anything to go by.
I have written to Berkeley Homes, our local councillors, the traffic and planning departments at TWBC and will keep you updated as to progress. The email is below. If you have any further concerns, please let us know below.
I am writing to you concerning a number of issues that have arisen since the start of work on the Hawkenbury Farm site and I hope that these can be addressed as soon as possible.
Site Access
Currently, some of the larger vehicles (low loaders) are trying to access the site via Hawkenbury Road. Most days, access from the junction of Hawkenbury Road and Forest Road is
less that 6’6″ with cars parked on either side. These large vehicles, using this road, are getting stuck and are having to reverse back out causing congestion on Hawkenbury Road and Forest Road. Is it possible to direct construction traffic down Forest Way, into Maryland Road to Hawkenbury Road? This will alleviate the pinch points along Hawkenbury Road. Access may be easier along this stretch once the ‘No waiting’ areas are introduced in January 2018.
Foul language
The site entrance is currently opposite the children’s play area and the language used on site is colourful, to say the least. This is particularly true when large pieces of equipment are being off loaded. We have had a number of complaints from residents and parents and would appreciate it if you could have a word with the contractor.
The large trucks currently coming up or down Maryland Road have to use a large turning circle to get out of Hawkenbury Road. This means they are having to drive up on the grass banks and are destroyingthem. This mud is then being washed into the road, where it is spread by cars and other vehicles. There have been incidents where vehicles have skidded on this mud. These banks will disappear in a few weeks. As a minimum, we would like to see the road surfaces kept free of mud, if at all possible and an undertaking that the verges will be repaired.
The construction consultants are using the car park at the Recreation Ground Pavilion to park their vehicles. They are often parked in tandem. This prevents users of the recreation ground from parking here, forcing them to park on the road, thus further blocking your vehicular access. Are you going to construct a site yard where the construction crew can park?Considerate Construction
Is Berkeley Homes and their sub contractors part of the Considerate Construction scheme? Residents are already put out by the upheaval and damage been caused, and we are only 2 weeks into the scheme.I trust that we can work together to alleviate these issues and try and minimise the impact on residents and visitors as much as possible.
less that 6’6″ with cars parked on either side. These large vehicles, using this road, are getting stuck and are having to reverse back out causing congestion on Hawkenbury Road and Forest Road. Is it possible to direct construction traffic down Forest Way, into Maryland Road to Hawkenbury Road? This will alleviate the pinch points along Hawkenbury Road. Access may be easier along this stretch once the ‘No waiting’ areas are introduced in January 2018.
Grass Verges
ParkingVideo:
I have received the following comments from Berkeley Homes:
Site Access
The agreed access into the site is indeed as you suggest, from Forest Way, into Maryland Road and onto Hawkenbury Road. This route is confirmed within our Traffic Management Plan, which in turn is included within the Construction Environmental Management Plan, submitted and subsequently agreed with TWBC. We have contacted all of our contractors, in order to remind them of the above requirement and the fact that this is included within their contract appointments.
Foul language
We concur with the view that such behaviour is totally unacceptable and have notified all personnel accordingly.
Anyone behaving in this manner will be dismissed immediately and we would ask that if anyone witnesses any reoccurrence, that they contact our Construction Manager immediately. Mr Andrew Lewis may be contacted at mobile telephone number 07766 7765872.
Grass Verges
We will inspect all damaged verges and agree / instruct the necessary repairs to these areas.
At the same time, we would confirm that we will implement routine road sweeping, particularly during the winter months. We have also contacted KCC in order to seek permission to install timber posts, to more clearly define the acceptable boundary of the highway.
Parking
We would confirm that our initial site parking area is now complete and all of our contractors / consultants have been informed, that parking beyond this area is now unacceptable.
Considerate Construction
All Berkeley Homes projects are registered with the Considerate Construction Scheme and with regard to Hawkenbury, we would ask you to note that the site will be eligible for a 2018 registration.
If residents have any further comments, please leave them below.
We also would like to bring to their attention the construction hours which in the attached planning conditions are 08.00 to 18.00 Monday to Friday, and then 08.00 to 13.00 Saturdays.
They have been starting at 7.30am, sometimes earlier, and this has been also the case on Saturdays, where they work all day. I also saw people working on Sunday’s. Last night I also heard a vibration sound that sounds like a generator until 11.15pm.