Worries as development closes bypass for six weeks

Prince of Wales Road will be closed at its junction with Jack Chase Way, which will be shut for six weeks from Monday

A Norfolk bypass is closed to all traffic for six weeks, raising concerns for safety in a village.

Persimmon Homes was granted a road closure order by Norfolk County Council to allow it to install traffic lights on Jack Chase Way at the junction of Prince of Wales Road.

It will allow the house builder to create an access to its development of 655 homes at Mulberry Park, which is under construction on the western side of the road.

Caister Parish Council said the closure was unacceptable and would cause rat runs through the village, saying: "They have not listened to us or the people of our village."

Persimmon said the work had been scheduled to take place at time when traffic levels were lower.

The closure of Jack Chase Way will see Ormesby Road and Norwich Road used as the diversionary route

Caister Parish Council said it met Norfolk Highways and Persimmon earlier in February and raised concerns over safety of children walking to school.

It said traffic would become congested at the traffic lights near the village church, and suggested emergency services vehicles would be delayed as a result.

The parish council said: "The council had hoped we could work together to offer a solution that took into consideration the safety of our parishioners as well as the need to carry out the required works."

Jack Chase Way has been restricted with three-way light control at the junction of Prince of Wales Road, where the entrance to the new estate will join opposite

A spokesperson for Norfolk County Council said: "There is a significant amount of large scale work to do at this location.

"We understand the concerns of the parish council, and alternative traffic management options were discussed.

"However, it would not be safe to carry out these works within the timescale without a full road closure.

"The developer is working to ensure that these works will be completed before Easter."

Jack Chase Way was built as a bypass to take traffic away from Caister village centre, but the parish council says closing it for six weeks will put residents at risk

Persimmon Homes Anglia said: "While several options were considered by Norfolk County Council, following consultation, the preferred option was a short six-week road closure taking place outside of the holiday period when traffic is at a reduced level.

"This option avoids approximately 30 weeks of road works and traffic management on Jack Chase Way that would likely cause much greater disruption for residents."