Bucks Council insists major roadworks causing traffic misery in Aylesbury 'could not be delayed'

This week, residents have complained of across Aylesbury as a domino effect of new major roadworks projects started on New Street.

SGN is carrying out major works on the pipes used by residents living close to the town centre and is currently using lane closures and temporary traffic lights on the busy Aylesbury road.

Residents have complained that shutting large parts of a central busy Aylesbury road at peak hours is leading to long stretches of gridlocked traffic.

But, this morning (9 October) the unitary authority has insisted that the major roadworks project, which is being carried out in stages and is not scheduled to finish until February, could not be delayed.

Councillor Steven Broadbent said: “We are aware of the regrettable level of disruption in the Aylesbury Town Centre and are working very closely with SGN to minimise the disruption whilst they are carrying out essential major gas works in New Street, Aylesbury, replacing old gas pipes with new ones. "The project, which could not be delayed until school holidays, is divided into two stages to avoid the Christmas period. Fleet Street will be closed from 7-29 October and Havelock Street from 28 October to 29 November, with access maintained for residents and businesses. Residents have been notified by SGN.

"SGN is also working with UKPN who are undertaking works at the Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital and Openreach carrying out a pole replacement, in order to minimise disruption to residents and the travelling public. “Phase 2 of the works will start in January, including a road closure of New Street, but access will be maintained for residents, businesses, the Mosque, and emergency services. Further details will be provided once the programme has been confirmed with SGN. “We would ask anyone travelling in Aylesbury over this period to check before they travel by visiting our website.”

The Bucks Herald has been contacted by residents who have been battling the traffic while trying to get children to school on time and to work. Many have complained that Aylesbury has become ‘infamous’ for its traffic problems.

It has been noted that typically one 10 metre stretch of roadworks on one new route, would not cause an entire traffic system to collapse in other towns or cities.

Another source of frustration is just how regularly Aylesbury roads are gridlocked. Last month flooding made navigating the town at regular speeds impossible, while early in the summer a number of students were late for their exams due to concurrent roadworks authorised at four of the main routes in and out of Aylesbury.

Bucks Council has pledged to hold utility companies to account and states these firms require permits to carry out roadworks. Recent data released by the council showed that there has been a significant rise in the number of Fixed Penalty Notices handed out to companies working on Buckinghamshire’s roads.

This increase has been linked to the additional hours council inspectors are now working.

SGN is urging Aylesbury residents to allow extra time before setting off on their journeys, and says it only uses traffic management which it feels is efficient enough to complete these works safely for the public and its engineers.