Motorists face month of pain near Cannock M6 junction

Thousands of drivers are facing a month of tailbacks due to resurfacing works on two major routes near a busy M6 junction in Staffordshire.

Motorists are being caught up in miles of queues along the A460 and A462 near junction 11 in Cannock.

Traffic has been crawling just two miles in an hour during peak periods. The A460 has been reduced to one lane in both directions, causing long delays for drivers heading out of Cannock towards the M6 from the Longford island.

And there will be further disruption this weekend when slip roads on to the motorway at junction 11 are shut overnight.

Commuters

Resurfacing will start on Saturday and run for 12 nights, from 8pm to 6am. The A462 Warstone Road will be shut during those hours between the motorway turn-off and the Hollybush Garden Centre.

Commuters who have been caught up in the four-week scheme, which started this week, say they are not convinced it is necessary.

Office worker Donald Maciver, 28, was making his way home to Birmingham from Cannock at 5pm when he got stuck in traffic leaving the Longford Island.

"It must have taken me an hour to get two miles and on to the motorway," he said today. "When I heard it was for resurfacing I was amazed as I use the road every day and have always thought the surface was fine."

Steve Hallett, general manager of Hollybush Garden Centre, said the roadworks were delaying staff.

County councillor Mike Lawrence apologised for the disruption but said the work was necessary.

By Claire Fry