Anger as resurfaced street is dug up again

Sep 2 2011 By Camilla Goodman and Lawrence Poole

Road works in Germain Street, Chesham.

RESIDENTS are furious with Bucks County Council (BCC) for 'wasting' money on re-surfacing a road only to dig it up again a few weeks later.

Germain Street, in Chesham, was only resurfaced by Transport for Buckinghamshire (TfB) about three weeks ago but on Tuesday (Aug 30) contractors were seen digging up the newly laid road as part of some traffic calming work.

Businessman Stephen Richardson, who owns Richardson Re-Upholstery in Bois Moor Road, said: "Why is the council wasting money? It's ridiculous. They have also had to close the road for the second time in a month, which holds up everyone getting into work. It's bizarre. They are meant to be tight for cash and they are frittering it away on this."

Annoyed Sue Holt, 60, of neighbouring Amy Lane, said: "How ridiculous. We had a beautiful road last week and now they have dug it all up. I cannot believe how stupid people are. Amy Lane is completely full of dangerous potholes all the way along and yet they dig up a road they have already done. It's a waste of money. We've waited about two years to get it done and then they dig it all up again. Where is the sense and mentality of some people?"

Residents are confused as to why TfB did not carry out the traffic calming measurement of narrowing the road, requested by Thomas Harding Junior School, at the same time as the resurfacing work.

Germain Street resident John Rabagliati, 60, said: "I've been constantly phoning them for months, it's getting done but I don't understand why they haven't touched the bit up until the old King's Arms - that's madness as they had the equipment here all ready. They've also dug up some of the tarmac they've already laid, which is a bit silly."

Another resident Richard Brock said: "I think it's ridiculous they are re-surfacing the road, it seems silly to be digging it up so soon after laying it. Quite how this traffic calming is going to work I don't know."

The work is expected to be completed on Saturday (Sep 3.)

BCC was not available for comment at the time of going to press.