Willenhall's Lucknow Road partially closed for roadworks prompting concerns for traffic misery

One councillor says residents are apparently 'under siege' from the work.

The company today admitted it is 'behind schedule' after hitting 'engineering difficulties'.

Lucknow Road connects Willenhall to Coppice Lane which leads on to the A462 toward Wednesfield.

The route is now closed between the junctions of Spring Lane and Pool Hayes Lane for work to replace water mains.

It will remain shut until the end of August, which should also spell the end of Severn Trent's involvement on the road.

Diversion routes are in operation using Ashmore Lake Road, Ashmore Lake Way, the A462 Sandbeds Road and Mill lane.

Access to properties is still available 'where safe' and the businesses on the stretch of closed road remain open.

Amey is undertaking the work on behalf of Severn Trent Water. The contractor, which also works for Walsall Council on its roads, is renewing old and worn down water mains along the route.

Sukhjinder Singh, director of Lucknow Chippy, said: "It has been bad, the number of people coming in is falling. People don't drive down our road and don't see us."

Willenhall Councillor Carl Creaney said: "It is a busy commuter route and it is also a hell of a lot of disruption. People are being diverted through estates, which is obviously a nuisance. It is important that Severn Trent do get this work done. Hopefully it'll be over by the end of August."

Willenhall North councillor Ian Shires said: "We have had gas repairs recently as well and it appears that if you live in north Willenhall then you are under siege from roadworks. The Lucknow Road one has been particularly bad because it has meant traffic and public transport has had to be shifted from one of the main Willenhall routes to the other."

"I do think that Severn Trent have been quite cavalier about this. It seems like they have told agencies such as the council and bus companies that we are doing this work and you will have to sort out alternative routes. The loser in all of this is local residents."

The road closure has been in since July 22. Work started in April to replace £2million worth of water pipes in Willenhall, Wednesfield and Walsall.

Jonathan Smith, for Severn Trent Water, said: "We should be finished in the next four weeks. We should be finishing this about now, but we're a couple of weeks behind due to other services in the way and some engineering difficulties."