'Pressures from Biggleswade's roadworks silently impacting families, schools and hospitals'
A businesswoman claims that Anglian Water and the council have not done enough to support people during the roadworks on Biggleswade's Hitchin Street.
Naomi Whiteley, a pressure and behaviour transformation specialist, argued that demands placed upon individual households has remained "largely invisible" – and that more needs to be done.
Naomi says that she has family members in the town – who have faced difficulties because of the work – claiming the pressures impact "hospitals, schools, workplaces, care arrangements and family relationships.”
Anglian Water – who are upgrading the road's pipe system – apologised for the disruption, and encouraged "anyone who feels they need additional support" to get in touch.
Meanwhile, councillor John Baker, executive member for Highways at Central Bedfordshire Council, said that the council is doing its utmost to "co-ordinate work and reduce disruption where possible".
Naomi explained: "The word ‘inconvenience’ makes this sound as though everybody simply needs to leave home slightly earlier.
“For some people, a diversion creates upheaval around a hospital appointment they may have waited months to attend. For somebody with caring responsibilities, arriving late could mean medication, meals or personal care are delayed — or that a vulnerable person is left alone longer than planned.
“For children who depend upon familiar routines, a changed route, missing bus stop or unpredictable journey can cause genuine distress before their day has even begun.”
Naomi says bus routes 74 and 200 no longer serve Biggleswade Railway Station Interchange, Teal Road or stops along Hitchin Street, adding: “Some early and late journeys will not run through to Biggleswade Bus Station.
"Anglian Water must take responsibility for how the work is planned, communicated and completed. The council also has a responsibility to consider the cumulative effect on residents, coordinate disruption effectively, and ensure that practical concerns are not dismissed as mere inconvenience."
An Anglian Water spokesperson said: "We’re making good progress on our work in Hitchin Street, with around 475 metres of new water pipe now installed.
"We apologise for the disruption these essential works may be causing to residents, businesses and people travelling through Biggleswade.
"Our teams are reviewing progress every day and looking for every opportunity to keep the project moving safely while minimising disruption. We remain committed to communicating updates as the project progresses and encourage anyone who feels they need additional support to contact us.
"We'd like to thank the community for its continued patience and understanding while we carry out these important improvements to the local water network."
Before the project began, Anglian Water held a community engagement event in Biggleswade and also contacted businesses on the Albone Way and Eldon Way industrial estates.
Cllr Baker said: "We recognise that the Hitchin Street roadworks are causing disruption. This project is being carried out by Anglian Water and not CBC. CBC has a legal duty to allow utilities to carry out work on the highway, and the council does its upmost to co-ordinate work and reduce disruption where possible.
"Anglian Water is responsible for communicating with residents, and if work isn't progressing in a timely fashion, the council will seek answers and move the project forward if possible."
To contact Anglian Water, please email: [email protected] or call on 03457 919155.