A BRIDGE must be built over a Fenland level crossing to halt traffic chaos and prevent Whittlesey from being isolated.
That is the view of campaigners who have launched a petition demanding a solution to issues at King’s Dyke level crossing on the A605.
Residents have become fed-up at having to wait in long queues at the crossing gates, which they say close up to 10 times an hour to allow trains to pass.
The problem is worsened when flooding causes the closure of the B1040 Whittlesey Wash, as more vehicles rely on the key route.
Martin Harris, from Whittlesey, has launched a website to highlight the problem and his petition has already attracted more than 50 signatures.
“I sit in the queue there everyday going to work and coming home,” he said.
“I only work in Peterborough. In the summer, I can get to work in 20 minutes but when the Whittlesey Wash is flooded it takes 45 minutes, perhaps an hour.
“We need a bridge. They have been talking about it since before I was a teenager - I’m 48 now. There has been no action.
“Whittlesey is cut off and it also seems to be forgotten.”
Comments have flooded in on Mr Harris’ website, with residents describing the traffic situation as “absolute chaos”.
One contributor wrote: “The town of Whittlesey is well overdue a bridge over the railway or a bypass. I guess the bridge is the cheaper option.
“We cannot go on like this any longer.”
Whittlesey’s access problems were highlighted last month when Olympic hero Louis Smith arrived to a promotional event more than an hour late because of the flooded B1040.
The gymnast had not realised the road would be closed, leaving him with a lengthy detour to get to the Manor Leisure Centre.
Fenland Councillor Gary Swan said the incident proved that the “road infrastructure in Whittlesey is not good enough”.
He said: “Everybody has got to start realising that the infrastructure in the town needs improving. Myself and other members of the town council have endless phone calls about it.”
To sign the petition visit kings-dyke-crossing.simplesite.com/171559377
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