Stafford is braced for 10 weeks of road chaos after a last-ditch attempt to ease the problem failed.

The major commuter route Newport Road closes tomorrow and will be blocked to through traffic while replacement sewer works take place to cater for a new David Wilson Homes development.

Borough council chiefs say they forced a last-minute rethink of the plans which could have meant the road being closed for only two weeks – with one-way traffic controlled by signals for a further four weeks.

But Severn Trent Water, which is carrying out the sewer upgrade on behalf of David Wilson Homes, says it cannot agree to it.

The road closure, from Kingsway Island to West Way, will be enforced tomorrow with Staffordshire Highways advising local commuters “to take advantage of the summer sun and consider the more environmentally friendly routes into the town centre – walking, cycling and using the bus.”

Chris Hindle, Stafford Borough Council head of planning, said: “We had found a solution which would have significantly reduced the traffic chaos this work is likely to cause. It is unfortunate that when this was put to Severn Trent Water – and they examined the proposal in detail – they were unable to agree with it.”

Staffordshire Highways, which is taking the opportunity to undertake a £300,000 road re-surfacing project during the 10 weeks, said “fevered” talks between the county and borough councils with David Wilson Homes and Severn Trent had failed to find an alternative solution.

Clare Hardie, spokeswoman for Staffordshire Highways, said during the ten weeks workers will be giving the roadway a brand new blacktop, creating a quality surface which will last for 20 years.

She said: “By scheduling the works together it means Staffordshire Highways won’t have to come back another year and create more disruption.

“The work will be done in chunks, so local residents and business customers will be able to access their homes and premises throughout the operation.”

She said official diversions have to ensure that all through traffic is directed along roads of an equivalent carrying capacity, not through local residential streets and through quiet and narrow country lanes.

This means the diversion will send through traffic along the A518 to Newport, then back to Stafford along the A519 towards Eccleshall, the B5405 to Great Bridgeford and then back to Stafford along the A5013.

Local traffic will find alternative routes and it is expected that traffic volumes along the A449 Wolverhampton Road will increase significantly.

Mike Poulter, county councillor for the Stafford West Division, said: “I believe that the law should require that planning authorities should take regard for disruption factors.

“This works will cause huge problems for people in the town and rural areas.

For details of the works contact Staffordshire Highways on 0800 232323.

l Gas works in Penkridge have caused rush hour traffic chaos on the A449 today due to temporary traffic lights.