MONTHLY UPDATE: JULY 2026
July brings positive news on the Sherford Road Traffic Calming project, with work set to finish on schedule. Alongside this milestone, construction activity continues to gather pace across the site, with progress on the Business Park and Phase 3 all moving forward - and the first steps taken to bring the Local Centre to life.
Phase 1B Estate Completion Works
Completion works are continuing across Phase 1B, with activity taking place on and around Buzzard Way, Primrose Drive and Tansy Way. Work will take place from 27th-29th July (with the 30th as a 'reserve date'). As part of this programme, tarmac will be laid which means that vehicles will have to be moved to enable the surface to be laid and cool sufficiently for vehicles to return. Diversions will be in place during this time and residents will need to make temporary parking arrangements elsewhere. It is expected that roads will be opened to residents late in the evening on the day of surfacing.
Dates to note:
- 27th and 28th July: Buzzard Way, work will start from the bottom of the road and work its way up
- 28th July: Primrose Drive, work will take place here during this day
- 29th July: Tansy Way, work will take place here during this day
- 30th July: 'reserve date' - may be required for extenuating circumstances only and residents will be informed by letter if this affects their road.
Sherford Road Traffic Calming Project
This project now comes to a close, with all works complete. Designed to create a safer road connecting the existing and new communities, the project has delivered improvements to the Gemini Road junction, a permanent pedestrian and cycle path, and changes to road layout and signage.
The earlier phases were completed on schedule - a significant achievement on a complex project - and works are now in their final stages, and will be completed early this month, ahead of schedule. Full information remains available at www.sherford.uk/planning
Wiverton Road works
A temporary traffic restriction order will be put in place between the 24th and 27th July 2026 to allow for the installation of the proposed Water Main supply pipes to Sherford. The road leading to Wiverton House from Hercules Lane will be closed and an alternative diversion route will be in place during this period. The narrow section of the diversion route will be controlled by two way traffic lights.
Hercules Road/Sirocco Road Manhole Replacement
Work will be commencing on the 7th & 8th July on Hercules Road/Sirocco Road to change the defective manholes within the road. Hercules Road will be completed with traffic lights control and Sirocco Road will be controlled via a road closure on the day. Access and egress will be allowed as much as possible to residents with alternative routes in place.
Phase 3 Residents
Taylor Wimpey has welcomed its first residents into Phase 3, with five homes now occupied. It's a landmark moment for the newest part of Sherford and further occupations are expected to follow in the coming weeks.
Over 1,000 new homes are being built in this new section, with a variety of house types and designs that reflect a village look and feel. Located on the Eastern edge of Sherford, this new section spans 45-hectares of land (450,000m2) and marks one of the most ambitious and significant stages of the development to date.
Local Centre
The existing hoarding along Hercules Road is being removed and replaced with 'hit and miss' style wooden fencing. Over the summer, you may see site investigation works take place in preparation for groundworkers starting on site in September.
The Local Centre will be a mixed-use development, located off Hercules Road, forming a vibrant town square arrangement with Sherford Vale school at its base. At the heart of the development will be a large convenience store spanning 4,500 square feet, alongside a substantial 6,000 square foot nursery. Three additional flexible retail units, ranging from 1,000-1,500 square feet, will accommodate a variety of local businesses. Operators are already lined up for several of the spaces and further announcements are expected soon.
Cricket Facilities
Work on the cricket facilities continues, with culvert diversion and drainage works progressing, which are needed before the public can use the space. Residents on Aries Lane may see this activity taking place from their windows. Fencing installation will follow once these works are complete.
Allotments
Design work on Sherford's allotments is continuing, with the aim of having the first plots ready for the next growing season. Sherford will eventually have several allotments for the community to use and benefit from. In total, there will be eight-hectares of land dedicated to allotment space, giving residents and community groups the opportunity to grow fresh produce near their homes.
Swale Improvements
Upgrade works to the swales - drainage channels designed to manage stormwater runoff - are taking place through July and August alongside the play park area, parallel to Aquarius Drive. Once associated allotment works are complete at the junction of Aquarius Drive and Sherford Road, a new path will be installed alongside the swales, connecting the two areas.
Business Park
Construction work on the Business Park continues to progress, with infrastructure works on track for completion in November. In April, the Sherford Consortium completed the final drawdown of seed capital funding for the Freeport's Sherford tax site. The final drawdown of £233,000, the last instalment of the £1.2m allocated to Sherford under the Freeport's seed capital programme, is contributing towards enabling works at Sherford Business Park. Combined with significant investment from the Sherford Consortium itself, the funding is helping deliver the earthworks, roads, sewers, and services needed to bring the site to a construction-ready standard.
Water Main Works
Works are ongoing over the coming months to deliver road access and utilities to support the new right-turn junction into the Business Park from Hercules Road. An offsite water main connection has also been brought in from Deep Lane, with a new point of connection providing water supply from the north of the site into Phase 3. Some disruption should be expected as this significant infrastructure programme progresses, and residents will be kept informed as works continue.
Landscaping and Site Maintenance
A number of improvement works have been completed across the site in recent weeks. Path repairs have been carried out along Main Street, and the stone wall at Old Sherford Road has been rebuilt following the removal of the corner. Fencing at Skylark Field has been repaired and reinstated, with new Skylark signs also now in place. Hydroseeding has been applied to a number of areas across Phase 3 to stabilise bare earth and manage dust.
Work continuing into July includes the installation of uni gate latches to the 'Lonely Pony Field' gate and Field 121 to improve disabled access, and hard landscaping works have begun at Key Space 3B. Clearance works have also been completed to enable foul drainage connections to progress at the Business Park, and to support South West Water's works in Area 3AB.
Please note: all information is correct at the time of publication, but timings may be subject to change.
