Some residents have been very upset following recent work on the A52 which has had the effect of removing a natural sound barrier behind their homes. I took this up with the Highways Agency on behalf of local residents and spoke at length with them on this issue. Today, the following letter was sent to all those affected by the works:
"A-one+ are the managing agents working on behalf of the Highways Agency and we maintain the trunk roads and motorways in the East Midlands.
Your enquiry has been forwarded to me to answer as A-one+ are responsible for the ditch works on the A52 between Bramcote and Bardills Islands which, subject to good weather will be completed by the 1st March.
First let me apologise for the stress and inconvenience our recent ditch works have caused you. I would also like to apologise for the length of time it has taken me to respond to your enquiry. We have received a number of enquiries from concerned residents and also a local Member of Parliament and local Councillor. I personally wanted to provide a comprehensive reply to everyone; unfortunately I have been poorly and have only recently returned to work hence the delayed response in answering your concerns.
The ditch along the edge of the A52 between Bramcote and Bardills Island had come to the end of its effective life. A scheme was developed to clear the ditch of detritus and then re-profile it. This would allow the ditch to carry water away from the road and reduce the risk of nearby properties being affected by excess water.
For construction works to take place, our workforce and machinery needed to gain safe access to the ditch area. The dense vegetation prevented this from happening and so it was necessary to remove some of the vegetation. We have removed as little vegetation as possible whilst also allowing us to safely access the area. Some of the vegetation removed was also preventing the ditch from operating effectively. In total we cleared over 200 tonnes of waste from the ditch including builders waste; domestic and garden waste; and vegetation that was affecting the effective operation of the ditch.
Although the vegetation we removed was never designed or intended to provide security, or a visual or sound barrier between properties and the A52, I do understand that over the years it has grown and provided such a barrier. I noted on a recent site inspection that some of the residences have erected substantial boundary fences between their properties and the A52 to provide a visual barrier and security for their gardens, as is their right as land owners.
Please be assured that we do not remove trees and vegetation unnecessarily. Our tree specialist has already been to the site and was pleased to confirm that, as a result of us not using chemical retardants during the vegetation clearance, there will be vigorous regrowth with many side branches already re-shooting from trimmed vegetation. By clearing the land we have disturbed dormant seeds in the earth and this will also allow new plants to establish themselves quickly.
In order to identify how we can move forward with the issues raised I have spoken at length with a local Councillor and the Highways Agency Patch Manager. In an effort to understand what can be offered we will be carrying out an environmental survey to see if we are able to plant additional vegetation to enhance and assist the vigorous regrowth that will naturally occur.
Some of the enquiries we received asked about the possibility of grants for triple glazing, or a sound barrier. Unfortunately these grants are only available for properties adjacent to new roads being built. Sound barriers are only installed at locations identified from DEFRA strategic noise maps, unfortunately the area on the A52 between Bramcote and Bardills Island has not be identified in these maps.
Please accept my apologies for the upset and disturbance we have caused whilst undertaking these essential works on the ditches. However, I am confident that with time the vegetation will grow back and is very likely to be denser than before.
Customer and Community Relations Manager"
Your enquiry has been forwarded to me to answer as A-one+ are responsible for the ditch works on the A52 between Bramcote and Bardills Islands which, subject to good weather will be completed by the 1st March.
First let me apologise for the stress and inconvenience our recent ditch works have caused you. I would also like to apologise for the length of time it has taken me to respond to your enquiry. We have received a number of enquiries from concerned residents and also a local Member of Parliament and local Councillor. I personally wanted to provide a comprehensive reply to everyone; unfortunately I have been poorly and have only recently returned to work hence the delayed response in answering your concerns.
The ditch along the edge of the A52 between Bramcote and Bardills Island had come to the end of its effective life. A scheme was developed to clear the ditch of detritus and then re-profile it. This would allow the ditch to carry water away from the road and reduce the risk of nearby properties being affected by excess water.
For construction works to take place, our workforce and machinery needed to gain safe access to the ditch area. The dense vegetation prevented this from happening and so it was necessary to remove some of the vegetation. We have removed as little vegetation as possible whilst also allowing us to safely access the area. Some of the vegetation removed was also preventing the ditch from operating effectively. In total we cleared over 200 tonnes of waste from the ditch including builders waste; domestic and garden waste; and vegetation that was affecting the effective operation of the ditch.
Although the vegetation we removed was never designed or intended to provide security, or a visual or sound barrier between properties and the A52, I do understand that over the years it has grown and provided such a barrier. I noted on a recent site inspection that some of the residences have erected substantial boundary fences between their properties and the A52 to provide a visual barrier and security for their gardens, as is their right as land owners.
Please be assured that we do not remove trees and vegetation unnecessarily. Our tree specialist has already been to the site and was pleased to confirm that, as a result of us not using chemical retardants during the vegetation clearance, there will be vigorous regrowth with many side branches already re-shooting from trimmed vegetation. By clearing the land we have disturbed dormant seeds in the earth and this will also allow new plants to establish themselves quickly.
In order to identify how we can move forward with the issues raised I have spoken at length with a local Councillor and the Highways Agency Patch Manager. In an effort to understand what can be offered we will be carrying out an environmental survey to see if we are able to plant additional vegetation to enhance and assist the vigorous regrowth that will naturally occur.
Some of the enquiries we received asked about the possibility of grants for triple glazing, or a sound barrier. Unfortunately these grants are only available for properties adjacent to new roads being built. Sound barriers are only installed at locations identified from DEFRA strategic noise maps, unfortunately the area on the A52 between Bramcote and Bardills Island has not be identified in these maps.
Please accept my apologies for the upset and disturbance we have caused whilst undertaking these essential works on the ditches. However, I am confident that with time the vegetation will grow back and is very likely to be denser than before.
Customer and Community Relations Manager"