by John Prince
Residents living in a small village between Hornsea and Withernsea are facing two weeks of traffic disruption, as motorists are being sent through it because of council roadworks.
Withernwick, which has a population of just under 500 people, sits about three miles inland from the B1242 which is the main connecting route between the two towns.
Next month, essential roadworks will get underway to upgrade a length of Withernwick Road between the junction with the B1242 Hornsea Road and a property named The Bungalow.
It will involve resurfacing sections of the road – including at the Hornsea Road junction – structural patching and road edge strengthening, in preparation for further surface dressing which is likely to be done next spring or summer.
The work just north of Aldbrough will cost £230,000 and will be carried out in the daytime.
As yet, no details have been given out about the exact times the work will commence or finish through the day.
For the scheme to be carried out safely and efficiently, the sections of Withernwick Road and the B1242 being worked on will be closed to through traffic and a diversion will be in place.
That means that drivers will have to go on a 13-mile-long route which will take vehicles through Withernwick. Driving time along the route is estimated to be just under half an hour.
The village already has issues with traffic passing through it, as it has an extremely tight and narrow bend on Main Street which requires drivers to slow down to a crawl to get round.
The project is due to begin on Wednesday, November 18 and is expected to take a fortnight to complete.
Traffic will be diverted via Aldbrough Road, Main Street, Beverley Road, Hull Road, North Road, Hornsea Road, Hull Road, Southgate, B1242 Rolston Road and Withernwick Road.
The council has said that access to homes and businesses will be maintained ‘wherever possible’, and signs will be put out along the road in advance to alert motorists.
The 129 bus also runs between Withernsea and Hornsea, as do the HS7 and HS10 routes serving Hornsea School and Language College that connect surrounding villages on school days.
The council has said that bus and school transport companies are told ahead of any works being done, and buses will still have access through the closure on the B1242.
The roadworks will be carried out by the council’s own road maintenance team.
Image: one.network
A spokesman for East Riding Council said: “Sections of Withernwick Road and the B1242 Hornsea Road being worked on will need to be closed.
“All potential traffic issues will have been taken into consideration and signs will be put out in advance where appropriate.
“Bus and school transport companies are informed in advance of any work. Like all our road schemes, all routes will have been assessed for suitability. If the route isn’t suitable for larger vehicles, they’ll use the original one.”
Cllr Paul West, cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “Thank you in advance to residents and drivers for bearing with us for a short time while we can improve the surface of this road.”
For more information and an interactive map go to one.network. It is always worth checking ahead before travelling.
