People living close to long-term roadworks at a Black Country traffic island are dreading their return after they were relaxed for the Christmas break.

The £12.3 million scheme to turn the traffic bottleneck Burnt Tree island on the Sandwell and Dudley border into a junction with traffic lights is scheduled to last for 21 months.

Since the work started four months ago people living in Birmingham Road, Dudley, have said they cannot get cars off their driveways, traffic queues are a daily occurrence, and people are being forced to park their vehicles far away from their own homes or sit in lengthy queues to access driveways and garages.

The work ended for Christmas on December 18 and residents said life had been a lot easier since.

Widow Mrs Doris Smith, aged 78, who has difficulty walking, has been virtually housebound since the work began.

But she said that since the roadwork reprieve things had been better.

She said: “I have been able to sleep easier, but it is still a mess. My carpets are filthy because people tread things into the house.

“It has been lovely having the peace and quiet. I’m dreading it coming back, but it’s got to be done.”

Paul and Christine Daley, who live by the island and have three children, said they often cannot move their own cars off their driveway.

Mrs Daley said: “It has been really convenient for Christmas.”