Night work bid to prevent jams

Contractors will be working throughout the night on one of Stafford’s busiest commuter routes in a bid to avoid gridlock on the town’s roads.

But residents on the Wolverhampton Road are facing four weeks of disruption with access to driveways likely to be restricted during parts of the project. Thousands of motorists use the route every day to get to and from work and with this in mind highways experts have opted for a 6.30pm start.

The work, which will see gas mains renewed and the road resurfaced in a combined project between Staffordshire Highways and the West Midlands Gas Alliance, will finish at 7am each day.

Contractors will be using vehicles fitted with lighting systems to back up street lighting while the men are at work.

This is the third stage of a multi-million pound scheme to improve the key artery in Stafford’s road network and which was launched at Easter.

Work starts on June 2, is expected to last about four weeks and affects the length from Rickerscote Road to Gravel Lane. Staffordshire Highways Chief David Wilson said the project will inconvenience some residents but thanked them in anticipation for their patience while the work is being carried out.

He said heavier equipment will only be in use until 10pm at night to make sure residents are disturbed as little as possible.

The night work will drastically decrease the length of time it will take to complete the project as well as reducing traffic queues.

Other works, like minor kerbing and the setting of manhole and gully covers, will continue during the day and at weekends.