WORCESTERSHIRE County Council Highways has defended its organisation of roadworks in Bromsgrove after complaints to The Standard from fed-up residents.
We contacted the authority after receiving letters from people concerned about roadworks scheduled to start next week on the Stourbridge Road when works on the Birmingham Road, which has already taken months, is still ongoing.
But a county council spokesperson told us: “According to the contractor, it (the Birmingham Road works) should be done by the end of this Saturday.
“Work on Stourbridge Road won’t start until this has finished, so if all goes to plan, that’ll start on Monday.”
But one of the residents who got in touch with us said the Birmingham Road looked far from finished, adding she was doubtful it would be completed by the weekend.
Another resident Mark Norton said: “Let’s hope that doesn’t over-run – think of the huge inconvenience to people in the north side of the town, and the affect on Parkside council offices, the Princess of Wales Hospital, Sainsbury’s and Partridges.”
Resident William Thorn who lives on Birmingham Road said he had already experienced the impact of the Birmingham Road’s closure when traffic had come to a standstill for ‘literally hours, especially when the motorway was closed after accidents which frequently occurred.
“I have to travel on these routes at least once a day to see my elderly parents who live just on the other side of the M42 island.
“I know a ten minute car journey is going to take up an hour on a good run.”
He said he hoped the contractors would not be able to start the Stourbridge Road work until after the Birmingham Road was reopened.
The Worcestershire County Council spokesperson added when that work did begin, motorists would be provided with signs offering alternative routes.
“There will be a diversion in place via the B4185 Gibbs Lane / Golden Cross Lane and the A38 Birmingham road in order to minimise disruption.
“The work on nearby Birmingham Road is progressing well, and work on Stourbridge Road is scheduled to last eight weeks.”
