I READ with more than a little interest in your newspaper that the Harwich Road and Ipswich Road construction work is set to end shortly (Gazette, March 24, “Ipswich Road works set to end next week...finally”).

Having along with my fellow councillors Helen Chuah and John Baker attended the public consultation on September 5, 2018, at the Rose and Crown to view the proposed construction project, little did I think we would still be discussing the matter in March 2021.

Over that time our residents have in the most part stoically put up with the noise, dust, pollution, and inconvenience, particularly those whose homes have been impacted by their close proximity to the construction work, namely St Andrews and Orchard Gardens.

While with all major construction projects, it is expected that unknowns will arise (who saw the Covid pandemic coming?), this project did not get off to a good start with a lack of communication and community engagement lagging behind the pre construction ground works.

The sheer number of households living on or off Ipswich Road, Harwich Road and St Johns Road who would be subjected to noise, pollution, and inconvenience just was not appreciated. This, along with HGVS seeking short cuts through Goring and St Johns Roads, added to the problem, particularly those flouting the 7.5-ton weight limit on St Johns Road, damaging street furniture and parked cars in there wish to avoid the construction work.

Having raised the breach of the regulations on numerous occasions, I eventually received a response on March 9 from ECC Highways setting out their position - that structural weight limit orders would be enforced should any HGVS, such as car transporters and container wagons, damage a road or railway bridges and this was their priority.

However should home owners suffer from increased pollution or the loss of a wing mirror, this would come under an Environmental weight limit and would not be their first priority, but would pass on concerns to the relevant Highways officers.

It’s been an interesting and frustrating journey since September 2018, and as the saying goes “it ain’t over yet” - the number of people who tell me that the white linings and chevrons are confusing leads me to believe future changes will be made.

Councillor Mike Hogg

St Anne’s & St Johns Wards

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