Roadworks in Stafford town centre are causing traffic misery for motorists who fear the problems will increase when the new school year starts in September.

Staffordshire County Council is carrying out a major £600,000 resurfacing of Newport Road.

During the works, which started at the end of July, motorists have been caught up in lengthy traffic jams at night, when the majority of the roadworks are being carried out. The project involves stripping and resurfacing the road and rebuilding the kerbs and pavements, including dropping kerbs to help people cross to the bus stop at Stafford Castle. It is set to continue for another month

People living along the half-mile stretch of road between West Way and the M6 bridge have also been plagued by noise and flashing lights from the site traffic.

But Staffordshire County Council today urged motorists to be patient and said it was on schedule to complete the works which were “absolutely vital.”

Graeme Andrew, of Kingston Hill, Stafford said: “I was stuck for what felt like half an hour. I passed the rugby club and then I was just parked all the way until I got past the motorway bridge. I just avoid it now.”

AJs Taxis, on Newport Road have also suffered. A worker there said: “If it is still going on when the schools start back it will be total pandemonium.”

June Pearce and her husband Tom have lived on Newport Road for 15 years. They said: “There has been a few problems with flashing lights at night and the traffic but on the whole it hasn’t been too disruptive.”

Spokesman for Staffordshire County Council, Jeremy Herbert said: “We are doing everything we can to keep the impact during the day to an absolute minimum.

“The majority of the work is taking place during the night again to try and minimise the disruption but any work, which involves reinstating and rebuilding the road for