Danesborough Ward Councillors Cllr David Hopkins, Cllr Alice Jenkins and Cllr Victoria Hopkins are calling for an immediate halt to plans announced by Anglian Water to close Newport Road in Woburn Sands (from the railway crossing at Woburn Sands station to 93 Newport Road) from 1 February to 18 April 2022 for proposed major main water pipe replacement works.
The closure would also mean that the railway crossing gates would also be closed during that period.
This would effectively cut the community of Woburn Sands (and nearby Wavendon) in two:
• cutting children off from their school(s) and nurseries,
• families from families
• impact business either side of the level crossing
• force all traffic that would normally use Newport Road (estimated at 6000 vehicles per day) on to Hardwick Road, The Leys and Bow Brickhill Road and then through Bow Brickhill village
Emergency vehicle access would also be restricted if the proposition by Anglian Water to close Cranfield Road in Woburn Sands from 1 February to 25 March goes ahead.
Anglian Water propose that during this time there will be two-way lights set up at the junction of Newport Road and Cranfield Road to manage a one in then one out situation for residents, emergency services to access and exit. No through traffic will be allowed through Cranfield Road and a diversion will be signed accordingly.
Cllr David Hopkins commented: “This twelve week road closure is potentially catastrophic for our local community and we are seeking an urgent meeting with Anglian Water (involving MK Council Highways Department) to seek alternative arrangements to this draconian request”.
He continued “Is this this a taste of things to come should the East West Rail Company ever get their wish to close the railway crossing at Woburn Sands as part of its East West Rail project?”
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