Month-long roadworks on one of the busiest roads in Cannock Chase look set to cause New Year misery for motorists.

South Staffordshire Water will be replacing water mains on Rugeley Road, in Hednesford, at its junction with Market Street and Church Hill. This is one of the busiest routes through Cannock Chase.

It is also the main road to Rugeley from the rest of the district.

The roadworks, which are due to start after January 5, will see one lane closed at the junction which is expected to cause long delays at peak times.

South Staffordshire Water had been due to start the work before Christmas but transport bosses at Staffordshire County Council have intervened and delayed the work until the New Year.

The news comes after the water company agreed to delay indefinitely roadworks in Market Street which would have seen parts of the town’s main street closed off just weeks after National Grid replaced gas mains during month-long roadworks in November.

Councillor Derek Davis, who also runs his own business in Hednesford town centre said traders in the town were relieved no more roadworks would be taking place in Market Street.

He said: “These works will not affect the town centre.”

Staffordshire County Council has said the roadworks will see one lane of the one-way Market Street closed with traffic having to turn left or right from the same lane. From January 5 to 14 the right hand lane of Market Street will be closed while from January 15 to January 30 the left hand lane will be closed.