Streetlife

A Kings Dyke railway crossing bypass has been required (and discussed) for years. Whittlesey is now the ONLY Fenland town without a bypass... It doesn't need flooding to get things done, it needs Fenland District councillors to listen to us (which they generally refuse to do!)

Incidentally, I am still amazed at the inability of a large number of motorists to either read or understand basic road signs - the North Bank Road is CLOSED - as is the road leading to it - there's a bit of a clue with the seven (I counted them) signs between the roundabout near the Conservative club and the large "Road Closed" signs. Just as a further suggestion that the road is closed are the barriers put in the way... which of course are entirely there for decoration - judging by the number of cars which drove around it!!

Ian
Fenland District Councillors listen to the people of Whittlesey you must be joking as far as they are concerned Whittlesey is on the edge of fenland and doesn't exist just look at supermarkets do they listen no.

Martin

I think I've got the solution to that - rename Whittlesey "March" and see how much gets done!! There'll be so much investment that it'd be untrue :)

The bad news is that the North Bank is set to be closed or the next 10 days. The County Council are making progress on finding ways to deliver a rail crossing - we have a document called the "Whittlesey Market Town Transport Strategy" being (probably) endorsed by Cabinet tomorrow and that puts the providing of the rail crossing as a medium term priority and our officers are working really hard to identify funding opportunities for it.

I am also going to raise some concerns about how we manage flood notifications on the roads.  I am sure there is a technological solution that could prevent North Bank being closed when it isn't flooded but close and could enforce the barriers better when it is.

Thanks for the update Martin, I share your concerns about signage. I was at Welney over the week end and even after numerous signs and barriers there were still fool hardy folks having a go at the Causeway - I don't suppose you can legislate for everyone!

there have been several times when the North Bank road is close when its not flooded.. you cannot blame people for not trusting the signs. As for something being done about the crossing... I dont believe that will ever happen, Perhaps the proposal to make the old Saxon Brickworks a commercial recycling centre will make a difference... the powers that be could make it a condition that planning will only be passed if they do something about the road.

Regarding the railway crossing(s) in Whittlesey. If you Google "Felixstowe to Nuneaton railway line upgrade" it makes interesting reading. As of the first quarter 2014 Network rail will be able to push an additional 28 (14 in each direction) freight trains per day through Whittlesey. They will be sent cross country rather than as now via London.  The number is set to rise to 56 in the long term (2030). The trains will be large container freight trains.

 http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/8512.aspx

Bound to have some sort of impact on the length of time the railway gates will be down

As I have said to you before by email Ian - this is absolutely right and it is part of the case we are making about the need to fund the Kings Dyke Crossing. (and you will be getting a more comprehensive response to your email).

The chaos of the last few days and this morning especially when the traffic was queued up more than two miles from Kings Dyke crossing also helps - especially with development of 460 houses due to start some time soon.

But please keep making your voices heard - it all helps.

Does anyone have a car ferry they can get going?!

I've an blow up Dinghy I bought in Aldi a few years ago, still in it's box!

On a slight tangent, what's the view on drivers that defy the road closure instructions. They must wonder whether they can rather than whether they should drive across the Wash - the bow wave they set up erodes the banks that has to be built back up at our expense later

Totally agree with Eamonn D.If they're driving a company vehicle they probably could'nt care less as it's not theirs,but if all cars were fitted with skis there would'nt be to much problem apart as you say,it erodes the banks.If they were told they would have to pay for erosion themselves out of their own pocket instead of indirect taxation,iwonder if the attitude would change.

I notice that the archaeological dig trenches on Larkfleet's proposed Bassenhally building site have filled with water!

Possibly a flood plain William O but that won't stop them building,once they've got their money it 's someone elses problem.

I believe that it is actually about 250 metres to the west of the flood plain, the western boundary of which is the Eastrea section of Drybread Road.

I have been advised last night that the B1040 is to remain closed for up to another 2 weeks to allow the Wash to drain. North Bank will open today though (I know that last bit doesn't help if the B1040 is closed - but I thought I'd add it!!)

And i am guessing that over the next week we will see numerous cars getting stuck in the water on the B1040 as they get to the end of North Bank and can't be bothered to drive back or around.

i would suggest drivers will have a real problem - you cannot drive around the barriers, if they did the water is jolly deep.

It is worth a walk to have a look - it is quite pretty, at the same time the volume of water is horrendus