Martin Brookes Oakham Rutland: In interviews with BBC East Midlands Today and Rutland and Stamford Sound

Saturday, October 05, 2024

Oakham Residents & Business Owners Concerns Over Brooke Road Level Crossing, In interviews with BBC East Midlands Today and Rutland and Stamford Sound, residents and traders expressed their frustration and anxiety over the extended closure.

Oakham Residents and Business Owners Express Concerns Over Brooke Road Level Crossing Closure

Cllr Christine Wise Liberal Democrats,

Portfolio Holder for Transport, Environment and Communities

Speaking to Rob Persani, Rutland and Stamford Sound.

Residents and business owners in Oakham gathered this morning to voice their concerns about the ongoing closure of the Brooke Road Level Crossing. The closure, which has been in place for several weeks, has had a significant impact on the local community.

In interviews with BBC East Midlands Today and Rob Persani from Rutland and Stamford Sound, residents and traders expressed their frustration and anxiety over the extended closure. Business owners highlighted the decline in footfall and anticipated further losses as the closure is expected to continue until the end of November. This period is particularly crucial as it leads up to the busy Christmas shopping season.

Residents, meanwhile, shared their concerns about the inconvenience caused by the closure. Many noted that they have had to rely more on their cars to reach the town centre, as the diverted walking route is too long for their daily needs. This increased car usage has contributed to traffic congestion and environmental concerns.

Cllr Christine Wise, representing Rutland County Council, responded to the community's concerns at the council offices. While acknowledging the challenges faced by residents and businesses, she emphasised the importance of the ongoing work.

Brooke Road Closure

In addition to their media interviews, residents of Oakham took the opportunity to confront their ward representatives directly at a surgery held in the George Inn. The meeting focused on the ongoing closure of the Brooke Road Level Crossing and the significant disruptions it has caused.

Residents expressed their frustration and anger over the extended closure, questioning the council's handling of the situation. They raised concerns about the impact on businesses, the inconvenience caused to residents, and the lack of clear communication regarding the project's timeline.

Following the surgery, one of the ward representatives confirmed that residents are understandably upset about the situation. They acknowledged the challenges faced by the community and emphasised the council's commitment to resolving the issue as quickly as possible.

To hear more about the specific concerns raised by residents and traders, tune in to Rob Persani's breakfast show on Monday morning. Additionally, you can watch the East Midlands News on BBC1 for further coverage of this issue.