New traffic lights causing chaos for drivers

The £1.5 million scheme to revamp the car-clogged two Wall Islands off the A5 in Lichfield was first due to finish at the end of May, before it was pushed back to June.

The new traffic lights were finally in action last week but motorists say they are creating gridlock.

Dominic Smith said it took him 45 minutes to get through the junction when it would usually take five minutes.

Have the traffic lights affected your journeys? Leave your comments below.

His journey to work in Tamworth from Lichfield took two hours - and he said the delays are now worse than when the main work was being carried out.

He said: "I've been doing that journey for 20 years and this is the worst it has ever been.

"There have been lorries cutting through Lichfield just to avoid it - it's a nightmare. The queues are building up at the lights and blocking off the junction in other directions, so it becomes gridlock. I couldn't believe it."

Since February, drivers have been forced to take long diversions as a result of night-time road closures at the two islands to pave the way for the works.

The project has included closing off parts of the southern island to redirect the flow of the traffic. While the layout of the northern island is being redesigned to improve the safety and flow of traffic.

See also: Lichfield roadworks hit by delays for the third time.

Widening of lanes is also being carried out on the approach roads to the islands to increase capacity.

But Councillor Mark Winnington, Staffordshire County Council's transport boss, said it will be worth the wait when the scheme has finally been completed.

"These works are being carried out by the Highways Agency. Once work has been completed it will free up the traffic and the economy. I applaud the work," he said.

"What we want is for the A5 to be freed up so that traffic flows freely. We want the infrastructure in place to support new businesses and any new houses that are being built."

Council bosses have defended the delays to the work being completed, saying there have been problems with the drainage system which needed redesigning and parts of the road which needed resurfacing.

The work started in February and is part of the Government's pinch point programme which aims to support Lichfield's future growth in light of the thousands of new homes which are being built in the area.

The homes are due to be created over the next 15 years.

Traffic often builds up on both roundabouts during rush-hour in the morning and afternoon and council bosses said they fear that the situation will get even worse when the new properties are built.

Debbie Makinde, project manager for the scheme, said: "We are aware of issues regarding the traffic lights at the A5 Wall Island in Lichfield.

"The Highways Agency is monitoring the situation and we will be adjusting the timing of the signals to improve the flow of traffic and ease congestion."