12/07/2006 - Council agree improvements to Peartree Industrial Estate

Welwyn Hatfield Council's Cabinet agreed the appointment of a contractor to make improvements to Peartree Farm Industrial Estate, Welwyn Garden City, at a meeting on Tuesday night.

Pathways are to be renovated, with new kerbing, road markings and lighting to improve the traffic management and parking conditions on the estate. It will also include acoustic screening of the estate to reduce noise pollution for nearby residents

Richard Smith, Executive Member for Resources, said: ‘The Council’s investment will allow for an overall improved industrial estate, giving better value to the unit owners, better control of access, improved safety for all concerned, including the considerable number of pedestrians who pass through daily, and reduction in nuisance to the neighbours.”

The £60,000 project is to remedy the deterioration of the private estate that accommodates 15 businesses. At one stage, ad hoc working outside premises was taking place. This had caused residents to complain about noise and fumes, coupled with businesses concern over parking and abuse of the access road.

The Council, as owners of the access road and parking areas, commissioned a report by Faber Maunsell to recommend improvements.

Richard adds: “In creating this improvement scheme we have listened carefully to the needs of both residents and businesses. It has taken a while to come to a reasonable solution, with the repositioning of less acceptable uses within the estate, so I am pleased that this is now progressing.”

The work is expected to start by the end of this month (July).