Progress Update on Northgate Junction provided by Warwickshire County Council
Works are progressing well and despite a period of very wet weather in early June we are still on target to be completed by the end of August. Warwickshire County Council would like to extend their thanks to residents, visitors and businesses for their continued co-operation and patience during the works and for the remainder of the works to come.
Progress to Date
Any one that has visited or travelled through the works will see that Warwickshire County Council have completed the first phase of the works which concentrated around Shire Hall and the Methodist Church with paving and kerbing works on Barrack Street and Northgate Street.
It is now possible to see how the Yorkstone paving and contrasting granite kerbstone blend in and complement the existing surroundings and buildings. Works have now started on the second phase outside Northgate House. The existing roundabout has been taken out and the Victorian Gas lamp has been carefully removed and sent away for refurbishment before being installed late in August on phase 4 of the scheme. phase 2 works should be completed week ending 14th July 2019.
In order to complete the remainder of the works in a safe and efficient manner an extensive Traffic and pedestrian management plan has been implemented that effectively turns Saltisford, Northgate and the Butts into a one-way system, this seems to be working well and traffic has been moving through the works area very efficiently with little or no hold up.
Warwickshire County Council, Balfour Beatty, Traffic and McVeigh Construction continue to work closely to deliver these works in a safe and efficient manner and to minimise any disruption to the community.
Next Steps
On week commencing Monday 8th July 2019 phases 3 & 4 of the works will commence on the junction with The Butts and Northgate and into Northgate Street and also for the main build of the public realm area on Northgate between Barrack Street and Joyce Pool. The traffic management layout will stay much the same as it is now with the exception of through traffic will be driving on the lane nearest to Northgate House. Phase 4 of the scheme will also see the installation of a ‘SuDs’ (Sustainable urban drainage system) that has been designed to intercept and manage rain water.
Health and Safety
Health and Safety of the public and workforce is of paramount importance to all involved in delivering this project and the works have progressed with no injury incidents to date. However, it has been noted that some traffic has been seen exiting Northgate Street onto Northgate – this is extremely dangerous and could result in a collision. Warwickshire County Council’s traffic management company has now been instructed to close Northgate Street access from Northgate and allow access from Barrack Street only.
Warwickshire County Council urges all pedestrians to use the safe crossing points provided on site.