Major road near Hanwell Chase development to be closed for eight weeks

Thames Water is holding a drop-in session at Hanwell Fields Community Centre, on June 27, for people to find out about work scheduled for Warwick Road.

The drop in is open from 4pm to 7pm and members of the project team will be available to answer questions.

The roadworks are scheduled to take place between July 4 and November 14, between the Dukes Meadow Drive roundabout and Persimmon Homes’ Hanwell Chase development.

It will see a new sewer pipe connect the development to the main sewer network.

There will be three phases with the first phase taking place between July 4 and August 9 and seeing three-way temporary traffic lights put in place on the roundabout.

The second and largest phase will see the closure of Warwick Road, for eight weeks between August 10 and October 6.

A diversion route will be put in place.

The third phase runs from October 7 to November 14 with two-way traffic lights on Warwick Road, in a 100-metre section between Firtree Close and the Dukes Meadow Drive roundabout.

Businesses and residents affected by the roadworks have been notified with many raising concerns over the effect it will have on their trade.

Frank Pile, partner at agricultural and horticultural dealers, FN Pile and Sons, in Warmington said the firm also owned a campsite at Fir Tree Farm, and the works would have a knock-on effect on all parts of his business.

He said: “We have haulage vehicles going down that road so we are going to have to reroute them down some of the narrow roads.

“We have people needing access to our business and campsite.

“There are a lot of school buses that go down there as well. They are going to have to use the back roads which are going to be congested with haulage vehicles, coaches, and caravans. It is going to be a recipe for disaster.”

Helen Sprason, area manager for Brunning and Price, which runs The Falcon pub, near Warmington, said although the road closure was not ideal, she understood the work had to be done.

She said: “It is one of those things.

“It is a massive inconvenience however we need new homes and it is going to bring more people to the area so it is good news in one breath, but on the other hand everyone is going to take the hit while the work is ongoing.

“We are not best pleased, but I understand it is got to happen and hopefully with the right marketing and people being aware, we can get around it.”

Sam Turner, who co-runs the National Herb Centre, around five miles north of Banbury said: “It will have a fairly big effect.

“We get quite a lot of transport coming from Banbury. I’m not quite sure where they are running the diversions, but it will be a bit of a headache for us.

“Our prime time is usually March to July, but any time when the sun is shining is a busy time for us so it is important for us to get the business and to get people coming past.

“I am going to the meeting on Monday and see what they say, but until then, we won’t be able to make plans.”