Gridlock! Motorists struggle to get into Wolverhampton - with more roadworks on the way

Work by National Grid will start on Monday on Newhampton Road West in Wolverhampton for 14 weeks, and on Bradmore Road for 14 weeks from April 10, the following week.

The announcement will add to motorists' misery, with significant work already taking place on the Stafford Road, Pipers Row and Birmingham New Road.

An 'onslaught' of roadworks in Wolverhampton is costing businesses and putting drivers under pressure on their daily commute, according to a top councillor.

Conservative group leader Wendy Thompson said the situation is 'immensely frustrating' for motorists.

This picture shows the A449 Stafford Road at the junction of the M54 during rush hour yesterday.

Councillor Thompson said: "It's essential that disruption is kept to an absolute minimum and they really need to get their heads around this – it's not good for business or for the city.

"The scale of roadworks is costing businesses and when people are under pressure trying to get to work on time it makes it easier for accidents to take place."

Councillor Thompson said the 'onslaught' of roadworks is a result of the council spending leftover cash at the end of the financial year.

She said: "I think it's strange that we have this at this time of year every year. It always seems to be that we get an onslaught of roadworks at the end of the financial year."

The roadworks on the A449 into the city have led to chaos for commuters from the Stafford area.

One irate driver from the town, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "It's taking almost 50 minutes at times to get from the M54 island into the city centre.

"In addition commuters from Stafford already face roadworks between Gailey and Coven – so what should be a 30-minute journey is turning into a nightmare daily commute."

Councillor Milkinder Jaspal said: "Roadworks are essential for the city and if we don't do them roads will get in a worse state.

"There will be inconvenience but sometimes there's no way around it. To say we're spending money at the end of the financial year is not true."

More than 1km of iron gas mains will be replaced with plastic pipes. National Grid chiefs say the 'essential' work will keep gas flowing for the rest of the century.

UKIP councillor for Spring Vale, Malcolm Gwinnett, called on the council and utility companies to 'get their act together'.

He said: "There needs to be a focus on working out of hours, especially on main roads, and they need to be co-ordinated better between the council and utility companies. They need to get their act together."

Conservative group leader, Wendy Thompson, said: "I know it can be difficult for the council with utility companies having the right to do their own work.

"But the works on Newhampton Road West will put lots more strain on Tettenhall Road, which is already under pressure."

Councillor Steve Evans, cabinet member for city environment, said every scheme is 'viewed in a balanced fashion, taking into account its impact, the time of year, access to funding, contractor availability, and health and safety'.

He added: "It is impossible to make road improvements without any inconvenience, however, we always aim to minimise the impact for motorists and residents as best as we can.

"The majority of works in the City of Wolverhampton are short-term projects, which benefit motorists in the long term."

Rolling temporary traffic lights will be in place on Newhampton Road West from Monday. When work reaches the junctions of Riches Street, Hunter Street and Clifford Street all three will be shut.

During the Bradmore Road scheme there will be rolling temporary traffic lights, with major works at nearby junctions.

Starting on April 10 for eight weeks, Birches Barn Road and Broad Lane at the junction of Trysull Road and Bradmore Road will be closed and there will be temporary traffic lights at the junction of Trysull Road and Bradmore Road.

From June 2 to 26, there will be lights at the junction of Merridale Road and Finchfield Road. From June 26 to July, 10, there will be temporary traffic lights at the junction of Merridale Road, Gamesfield Green and Aspen Way.