Closure of Upwell Road in March means a 16 mile detour for residents
A pensioner is calling for answers after he was forced to take a 16 mile detour from his to March town centre thanks to a road closure.
Keith Chambers, 80, is furious after trying to contact Cambridgeshire County Council to find out why Upwell Road in March is completely closed from the mini-roundabout at the top of Cavalry Drive up towards the railway crossing.
The closure which came into force on Monday morning is in place for five days and residents living on the wrong side the mini-roundabout are being forced to detour via Sixteen Foot Bank to Boots Bridge, along Manea Road down to the A141 and back up into March.
He said: "I cannot understand why the road had to be completely closed. It is ridiculous. I spoke to one of the workmen who told me they had wanted to have a single lane closure but Cambridgeshire Highways refused to grant it because it was too narrow for lorries.
"Why did they not just put a diversion in for HGVs, that would have made more sense and meant people like me are not cut off from getting into town. I have tried contact Cambridgeshire County Council this morning but have been given the run-around.
"It is really worrying especially with the old people's home near me also being cut off. It means if there is an emergency with one of the residents an ambulance would also have to take the detour."
Those coming from the town centre heading down Upwell Road are being diverted via Cavalry Drive and Wimblington Road to the A141 and round.
A Cambridgeshire County Council spokesman said: “UK Power Networks are working to install a new electricity cable on Upwell Road, March. They requested a full road closure when they applied for permission to carry out the work and whilst we looked at other ways the work could be carried out it wasn’t possible as the road is not wide enough for two-way traffic lights.
“We understand advance warning signs were placed in the area, letters were sent to those affected and emergency services were told in advance.
“The official diversion is in place while the road is dug up to allow for the new electricity cable, resident access will be maintained but it may require using the diversion route.”
