Woodlands Ward councillors have welcomed long-awaited plans to resurface Upper and Lower Eastern Green Lane after years of campaigning. The well-used route, often likened to the surface of the moon, has deteriorated to the point where a complete resurfacing is now required.
Spanning Hockley Lane to Parkhill Drive, the much-needed works will see around 1.6km of highway transformed. Some parts of the route, especially near junctions, will require structural patching. Engineers will then plane the surface of the entire route and add a new 35-40mm asphalt layer. Ironwork, like manhole covers, will be raised to the new level.
Work will begin on Monday, 7 April 2025, and is expected to take 30 working days. Letters have been sent to residents with details of the works, which will be carried out in sections. Road closures will be in place along affected areas, with diversions and traffic management measures to minimise disruption.
Woodlands Ward Councillors Julia Lepoidevin, Peter Male, and Gary Ridley have pushed hard for these improvements. In 2023, Cllr Ridley presented a petition to the Council calling for urgent action and criticising previous repairs as "piecemeal."
Commenting ahead of the works Cllr Julia Lepoidevin said: “I am convinced that construction traffic from the new greenbelt housing development has accelerated the decline in the state of the highway. Had developers rightly been asked for a ‘section 106’ contribution by the Council, this work could have been completed years ago. Residents have waited patiently for too long, but we’re grateful for their support in our campaign and I’m glad we got there in the end.”
Cllr Peter Male added: "Residents have voiced concerns about the state of this road for years, and rightly so. But I’m proud of what we’ve achieved by working together with the community. This resurfacing will make a big difference to everyone, and it’s a prime example of how persistence and partnership can deliver real, tangible results for local people."
Cllr Gary Ridley said: "There’s a lot going on in the world right now, and this news might not make international headlines. But for those who use this road regularly, it’s a big deal. If you've ever wanted to ride a buggy across the moon, Upper Eastern Green Lane might be the next best thing — but if you want to take a spin down the lunar highway, you’ll have to be quick! These imminent works will make a real difference to local residents, and I’m absolutely over the moon that our campaign has delivered this result."
The works will take place between 8 am and 5 pm each day. The Council has asked that vehicles not be parked along the road during this period. However, traffic management operatives will be on-site to assist with any access issues. Residents are reminded not to remove any cones or barriers, as they are in place for safety.
