My ref: 
 
 
Your ref: 
297781 
Date: 
6.05.09 
Contact: 
Anna Keech 
Direct dial: 
01223 715669 
E Mail: 
[email address] 
By Email 
 
 
Environment Services 
Executive Director, Brian Smith 
Mr Goodwin  
 
[FOI #10806 email] 
 
 
Box No. CC1307 
 
Castle Court 
Castle Hill 
Cambridge 
CB3 0AP 
 
 
 
 
Dear Mr Goodwin,  
 
Thank you for your recent EIR request received 21 April 2009, regarding the closure of 
Newbridge Lane, Wisbech and the current legal status of this section of highway. 
 
I have received the following information from our Network Management Service in 
response to your query. 
 
Because we had a problem with fly tipping making it impossible to drive through New 
Bridge Lane because it was blocked, and our costs to clear the rubbish away were 
prohibitive. Other costs were incurred by Fenland District Council, the Internal Drainage 
Board and our own Waste Disposal Team. 
 
We did carry out a CCTV survey over a four month period to establish any possible 
prosecutions however no substantial evidence was obtained. 
 
A paper was taken to the Fenland Traffic Management Area Joint Committee on Friday 
2 March 2007 which gave it's support for the Highways Department to consult and 
advertise a draft proposal to Prohibit Driving (Except for Access) on New bridge Lane 
just south of the travellers’ site to it's junction with Begdale Lane, Elm. 
 
Consultations were carried out with all interested parties, including as many of the land 
owners as we could find and representation from a farmer who had land adjacent to 
New Bridge Lane but not off New Bridge Lane, who used the Lane to gain access to 
other land the other side of the A47. 
 
This landowner was written too explaining the problem, and was invited to lodge an 
objection to the proposal, when it was advertised, so that the Area Joint Committee 
might consider it. 
 
The Draft Traffic Regulation Order was advertised for a three week period and no 
objections were received. 
Continues overleaf 
www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk

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The Order was made and brought into operation on 22 June 2007. This is a legal order 
which gives the police powers to issue tickets for those who are in contravention of this 
order. 
 
The earth bund (at the travellers’ site end) and the locked Gate were erected sometime 
after this date. 
 
The combination to the lock at the southern end is given to any land owner who can 
give us evidence that they own/need access to the land that is enclosed by the gate and 
earth bund. 
 
If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your request and 
wish either to make a complaint or request a review of our decision, you should write to 
Helen Maneuf, Head of Audit, Scrutiny and Information Governance, Box RES 1405, 
Room 307, Shire Hall, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB3 0AP. 
 
If you have any queries regarding this letter please contact me, remembering to quote 
the reference number above in any future communications. 
 
Yours sincerely 
 
 
 
Anna Keech 
Business Support Officer 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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