Highways bosses say Bakers Lane works will end this week

The road closure of Bakers Lane, Church Road, and Buck Hill has caused traffic chaos in Braintree with a four-mile diversion in place from Witham Road to London Road via Godlings Way.

Works to reinforce the local power network by UK Power Networks (UKPN) have been ongoing since the beginning of July.

Final - The works have been granted their final extension to the end of this week before fines will be issued for further delays (Image: Newsquest) Locals have faced confusion and frustration after delays and unclear communication about the schedule of the works.

On Monday, the decision was made after a meeting between UKPN and its contractor, Freedom Group, with Braintree Council, Essex Highways, and the traffic management company TM Management that the works would be scheduled to finish by Sunday, November 3.

A spokesman for Essex Highways said to the Times: “UKPN works to install new cables were scheduled to finish on 25 October, however the works are overrunning.

“An extension was requested to 17 November, which has been denied.

“As we are now in the school holidays, we have allowed the utility company to finish their works while there is less traffic, with an end date of 3 November.

“Daily fines will be incurred if works continue past this date.”

Signs - Locals have been frustrated by misleading communications (Image: Newsquest) Councillor Tom Cunningham, Cabinet Member for highways, infrastructure and sustainable transport at Essex County Council, said on Facebook that he “shares the frustration” of residents that the programmed works have been delayed.

He said: “Essex Highways will continue to undertake daily inspections and will ensure the utility provider is held to account for the poor quality of reinstatements, because failure to do this will reduce the lifespan of the road.

“Essex Highways and I will be monitoring the works and will be updating fully and are very happy to attend upcoming Parish and Community events to give a full and balanced view of the works.

“Once again, Essex Highways and I share the frustration and we both assure you of our prompt attention in minimising any further disruption, in what has been a frustrating time.”

Underground - Cables have been laid below ground on Bakers Lane, with workers continuing along Buck Hill and Witham Road (Image: Newsquest) The essential works are laying cables below ground to replace the overhead cables on Bakers Lane, which are “burning and melting” from strain and local power demand, said project manager Adrian Degville.

Mr Degville added: “If you look at the state of the cable and the sagging of it, it’s coming to the end of its life.

“I doubt it would get through this winter- that’s how bad it is.

“If you had another 50 to 100 car charging points come into the village as it is, it would be enough to actually switch the system and you’d have no power at all in the village.”

Power cuts to the area are another result of the overhead cables coming to the end of their life.

Resident - Phillip has lived on his farm on Bakers Lane all his life (Image: Newsquest)Mr Degville continued: “Ultimately, this is for the benefit of the local community.

“We are trying to future proof the area, and it is serving the local area.”

Farmer Phillip Ratcliss, 81, has lived on Bakers Lane all his life. 

He said: "We had to put up with a bit of inconvenience, especially on the Church's road- we can't get our green lorries into the farm. 

"But it's a long term investment and it's right in the long run. 

"They're making a good job."