Oakham Residents and Traders Grow Frustrated with Brooke Road Closure
The ongoing closure of Brooke Road in Oakham, Rutland, has sparked growing anger and frustration among residents and local businesses. The road and level crossing have been closed since July, and this week, Rutland County Council announced a further delay in reopening until November 30th.
Residents and traders have expressed concerns about the lack of communication and support from both Oakham South Rutland County Councillors and Burmor Construction Ltd. Despite numerous attempts to contact them, residents claim their correspondence has been ignored.
Nearby retailers in Mill Street have reported a significant decline in trade due to the closure. The confusing diversion signs, particularly those at the top of Mill Street, have misled many people into believing that Mill Street itself is closed. This has deterred potential customers from visiting the area.
One Mill Street trader took to social media to express their frustration, stating that the closure has negatively impacted their shopping experience and sales. They urged residents to share their experiences and concerns with the local authority.
Debbie Oakes, another Mill Street business owner, has been vocal about the situation, criticising the lack of empathy from the County Council and the inconvenience caused to residents and businesses. She has contacted the BBC to raise awareness of the issue and is calling for the community to make their voices heard. "The closure has also led to increased traffic congestion in the town, with journey times significantly extended. Despite the growing discontent, the local MP has shown no interest in getting involved."
The situation has reached a boiling point, and residents and traders are demanding action from the authorities to address the ongoing closure and its negative consequences.
My Comment and Opinion: A Disappointing Lack of Accountability
The ongoing closure of Brooke Road in Oakham is a stark reminder of the often-overlooked consequences of development projects. While the Brooke Road Development may be relatively small in comparison to other projects in the area, its impact on residents and businesses has been disproportionately negative.
The closure has caused significant inconvenience to countless people, disrupting daily routines and negatively affecting local economies. The lack of communication and responsiveness from both Rutland County Council and the developer is a major disappointment. It is essential that those responsible for such projects take their obligations to the community seriously and provide timely updates and support.
Network Rail's clarification that they did not request the crossing closure further highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability from the local authorities and developers involved.
While MP Alicia Kearns' responded and agreed with my suggestion to assist those less able to get into town is a step in the right direction, it does not address the underlying issues of the closure and the lack of support for the community.
It is imperative that the authorities involved take swift action to reopen Brooke Road and mitigate the negative impacts of this prolonged closure. The community deserves better communication, transparency, and support from those responsible for these projects.
