For some weeks , the threat of an eight week closure of the A22 from the railway bridge to Dale Road (northern junction) has been hanging over a large number of residents and local businesses. This was because SESW wanted to lay a huge pipe from the Tesco site to a connection point in Dale Road.
I'm sure many residents will remember the very severe floods which closed the A22 for seven weeks in 2014 because the Godstone road waterworks were nearly inundated by the river Bourne bursting its banks. While accepting that the works might need to be done at some time in the future, I was appalled that, until earlier this week, there was no attempt to engage with local residents, businesses, the Purley BID or any other local organisations to consider the impact that such a closure would have, particularly as we all struggle to come out of the Covid-19 crisis. I and my colleagues asked lots of questions along these lines over two weeks ago, and we never got any coherent answers.
I'm delighted that the sensible decision has been taken to postpone these works for now; when they try again in the future, it will hopefully be with a MUCH better communications plan, and with prior engagement with all local stakeholders.
