Crippling roadworks on Stafford’s A449 were set to end today – a week ahead of schedule.

Council bosses say highways teams have worked against the clock and in torrential rain to get the Wolverhampton Road project finished before the bank holiday weekend. 

The road is expected to open again at 6.30pm tonight – much to the joy of local motorists and business owners. 

The major roadworks scheme has caused lengthy delays for drivers since April, with frequent tailbacks on both the A449 and surrounding roads. 

During the most recent phase, which began at the start of the school holidays, a one-way road closure was introduced on the route – prompting fury among some traders. 

One of them was Maggie Marsh, owner of the Hair Factory. She said trade dropped by 75 per cent and she had to halve the workforce at her salon in Burton Square. But reacting to today’s news, she said: “It’s great – I’m jumping through hoops. It will be lovely.

“I lost two people and trade really did go through the floor but we hope everything will return back to normal.”

The council says “a major push” and its team’s “tireless efforts” saw that the £2 million project was completed a week before it was due to finish, on September 1. 

A press release from the county council reads: “Staffordshire’s team will complete the revitalisation work following a slick and efficient National Grid Gas operation to upgrade the area’s gas mains. Both teams worked in close co-operation to ensure they delivered the maximum benefits in the smallest possible time frame.”

County Councillor Mike Poulter welcomed news and said the gas mains replacement and resurfacing was “vital” to Stafford’s economic prosperity. He said: “The early completion of this major project just goes to show the dedication and commitment that the Staffordshire Highways team has put into the work in order to keep disruption to residents, traders and commuters to a minimum. This was always a top priority while this important scheme was being done.”