Persimmon communication criticised Caister roadworks

Ahead of the scheduled development of 650 homes on land at Nova Scotia Farm, Persimmon Homes has been carrying out alterations to the Ormesby Road carriageway as part of off-site traffic calming measures for the new housing estate.

Last month, neighbours along the road raised safety concerns about the layout of a new roundabout by Webster Way.

READ MORE: Villagers frustrated over Caister's 650 new homes roadwork

Roadworks on Ormesby Road in February. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)

This week, Ormesby Road is being resurfaced as part of the upgrades. The bus stops on Ormesby Road had been temporarily suspended.

But Caister Parish Council chairman Kevin Wood said information about the roadworks and bus changes were not passed onto people in the area ahead of time.

Mr Wood said: "It is a lack of communication. Definitely not the fault of the guys on the ground but those higher up.

"There is anger in the village.

"And we can understand the anger. We feel it too.

"I'm not sure how much common sense has been used."

Caister Parish Council chairman Kevin Wood. Picture - Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)Mr Wood said he attended a meeting at the Town Hall last week, and a representative of Persimmon Homes said letters had been sent to everyone on Ormesby Road.

However, after querying one of the workers at the site on Monday morning, the letters - dated March 1 - were only sent later that day.

"People had been waiting at the bus stop all morning," Mr Wood said.

"It's shambolic."

Persimmon Homes has apologised for the delay in sending out information to people close to the roadworks.

The new roundabout on Ormesby Road. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)Mr Wood said he was also concerned about the possible impact on businesses near the roadworks.

However, Caister Tyre Centre manager Adam Carr said his business experienced minimal disruption as he called ahead of time.

Caister Tyre Centre on Ormesby Road. Picture - Google (Image: Google)Mr Carr said: "I was ahead of the game as I was worried I would have to close. But Persimmon assured me that wouldn't be the case and they delivered on that.

"We were at the end of the works and they were letting customers through. 

"It's not the workers' fault. They've been good as gold."

A spokesman for Persimmon Homes Anglia said: “Our works in Ormesby Road, Caister are continuing and are due for completion next week, as scheduled.

“Surfacing works are due to be completed this week, and then we will start to remove the temporary traffic management measures that have been in place.

“We informed schools, local businesses and the parish council of the schedule for the works at the outset. However, there was a delay in communicating this to local residents and we would like to apologise for this.

“Letters were sent to those in the immediate vicinity on March 1, and we have delivered letters to a larger area this week to ensure residents are aware of the final stages of the works.”