Village cut off by 'bizarrely timed' road closure

The roadworks on Alport Lane in Youlgreave could last for up to six weeks

Residents say the main road into their village has been cut off for the summer as a result of a "bizarrely timed" closure which could last up to six weeks.

Alport Lane closed to traffic, cyclists and pedestrians on Monday, so emergency tree works can take place, meaning those travelling to Youlgreave in Derbyshire have to divert several miles.

A GP has told the BBC he fears the closure could mean longer waiting times for ambulances, while a publican said it was poor timing for trade.

Haddon Estate, which is behind the works, said it was legally obliged to fell the infected trees and had "no other option but to close the road" so the work could take place.

Dr Edward Oakley, a GP at The Youlgreave Surgery, fears the closure could affect ambulance response times

Dr Edward Oakley from The Youlgreave Surgery said some of his patients had arrived late for appointments.

He also said the closure was having a big effect on home visits.

Derbyshire County Council's temporary order, which enforces the closure, said it could last until 5 September, but the road would reopen as soon as the work was done.

Publican Aiden Marsh is worried about how the undertakers conducting his father's funeral will get to the village

Aiden Marsh, who runs The George Hotel in Youlgreave, said he was concerned about the closure's impact on custom during one of the busiest periods of the year.

"It's especially hard for caravans to get through. And obviously the six-week holidays as well," he said.

"To me it just seems a bit of an utterly bizarre time to choose to do it. And why can't you have traffic lights up or at least [the road] opened at night?"

Mr Marsh's father recently died, and he is also concerned about the impact on the undertakers.

"His funeral's next Friday and I've been trying to think about how the hearse is going to get here. It's not an easy route to be doing," Mr Marsh added.

Village shopkeeper Amy Young fears the roadworks will deter visitors to Youlgreave

Amy Young, who runs the Post Office and Village Store, said: "People aren't going to come to Youlgreave, it's not the most accessible place anyway, but with that road closed, there's no easy option of getting into the village.

"I run the shop, but I also run the village milk round.

"So we deliver milk to Alport which means a four-mile round trip."

Phil Wildbore says the work should take far less than six weeks

People who live near Youlgreave say they are concerned about the impact motorists taking unsigned diversions could have on windy single-track roads around the village.

"It's a nonsense, they've got to cut down a few trees, there's no respect for the shops, for the pubs," said resident Phil Wildbore.

'Least worst option'

In a statement, Lord Edward Manners, of Haddon Hall, said the closure allowed dead and dying trees with ash dieback to be felled.

"Due to the steep-sided banks of the valley on one side and the river on the other, the estate has no other option but to close the road which we have done in full consultation with [council] highways senior traffic technicians," he said.

"There is no ideal time to do this work, but closing the road during the school holidays was considered the least worst option.

"We have a large team working as fast as they can, seven days a week with extended hours to complete the job as soon as possible and we thank the local community for their forbearance."

The road will be temporarily reopened for the August bank holiday, between 22 August at 17:30 BST and 26 August at 06:30.