Kenilworth and Southam Liberal Democrats

Severn Trent Programme of Works 2008 - Kenilworth Town Centre

Why is the work happening?

Kenilworth's sewers cannot cope with the demands of today's society, as a result a number of homes in the town have recently been subject to regular flooding. To remedy this Severn Trent have identified a programme of work to renew and provide increased capacity in the sewerage system. The overall programme of works has been underway for the last couple of years and has involved the closure of a number of roads.

SevernTrent Work Scheduled in 2008

The latest phase of works involves the construction of new large diameter sewers and will be carried out during a number of staged road closures. In relation to traffic flow, these works are likely to be the most disruptive to date - the greatest impact will be caused by the works in Warwick road which is the main through route in Kenilworth. The proposed timetable is set out below;

In order to minimise disruption a comprehensively signed diversionary route has been agreed between the County Council (Tom Mannion) and Severn Trent.

If signage is found to be inadequate when works commence, Severn Trent have agreed to provide additional signs as required.

The works have been well publicised and 1500 invites to the Severn Trent Exhibition which details the programme of works, were distributed to homes in Kenilworth. Publicity articles have also appeared in the local press.

Parking & Pedestrian Access

As a result of the works, the amount of on street parking in some of the streets affected will be reduced. Severn Trent will try to ensure that loss of residents parking is kept to a minimum. Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times (except by the Shell Garage during November). Cyclists will be able to dismount and push their bike along the pavement for the section of road that is closed.

To reduce the pressure on parking for residents, WCC (Tom Mannion) are likely to remove the double yellow lines on Waverley Road and Warwick Road. However, we are considering putting in double yellow lines in Whatleys Drive as displaced residents parking in this road is considered dangerous - residents will be able to park in Offa Drive instead.

Impact on Public Transport (Bus)

From May - October 2008 sections of Warwick Road will be closed. Stagecoach have proposed the following service alterations during this period.

Route X17 (Coventry-Kenilworth-Leamington-Warwick):

Journey time is expected to increase by 5 minutes in both directions. Service frequency will be maintained (via the provision of an additional buses), although there will be some changes to the times of early and late journeys.

Route U2 (Coventry-University-Kenilworth-Leamington-Sydenham):

On Saturdays route U2 will be renumbered U1 and will not operate via

Kenilworth, instead travelling via A46.

On Sundays route U2 will follow the diversionary route. Journey time is expected to increase and the service interval will be increased from 30 to 35 minutes (similar to the period when Bath Street, Leamington Spa, was closed).

Route 16 (Coventry - University - Kenilworth - Warwick, Stratford) is unaffected by the road closure.

Johnsons operate a service that uses Waverley Road. We are waiting to hear from them with regards to their proposed service alterations.

Other Works/Events Happening in Kenilworth in 2008

National Grid are due to replace part of the gas infrastructure in Warwick Road (near the Shell garage). These works will require traffic control to be in place.

Shell areredeveloping their site on the Warwick Road. The redevelopment involves complete demolition and rebuild of the site and is likely to occur whilst Severn Trent have Warwick Road closed (thus minimising impact on traffic flow).

Severn Trent, National Grid and Shell are due to meet at the end of January 2008 to discuss exact timings of works. Severn Trent are acting as the co-ordinator for the three sets of works in order to minimise disruption in the town centre.

Construction of Waitrose: Severn Trent are liaising with the developer to ensure that diversionary signing is in the correct place and that construction traffic adheres to the prescribed route.

Transport Planning, Design Services and the Traffic Manager have been in regular contact with Severn Trent over the last 18 months to ensure that the construction of the highway scheme associated with the Waitrose development does not cause delay to the Severn Trent programme of works.

The Royal Show take place in July each year and usually means an increase in traffic levels in Kenilworth. Severn Trent will provide additional diversionary signs as necessary to help direct people visiting the show.

Effect on Trade

One of the aims of the signed diversionary route is divert through traffic away from the town centre but keep local traffic 'local' to help maintain the level of trading currently enjoyed by businesses in central Kenilworth. Severn Trent operates a compensation scheme for 'loss of profit' during the works. Affected businesses will be able to apply for compensation under this scheme.

In addition, to help counter the public perception that Kenilworth is 'closed' during the programme of works a small working group has recently been established to ensure that the general public know that Kenilworth will be 'open as usual'. Jackie Hart, Regeneration Projects, is representing WCC on this group. The work carried out by this group should help to ensure that traders to not suffer a significant drop in business.

Vicky Porter

Transport Planning

January 2008