M6 gets the all clear
Motorists are breathing a sigh of relief after roadworks were removed from the M6 – the first time that stretch between Stafford and Cannock has been clear in nine months.
A month-long delay to the completion of the works between junctions 12 and 13 is thought to have cost the taxpayer almost £1 million – with the multi-million pound project to resurface the motorway completed just yesterday.
The entire project, which saw a 40mph speed limit put in place on a 4km stretch between Stafford and Cannock has cost in excess of £12 million and has caused months of delays for commuters to and from the West Midlands.
Mark Robinson, of Stan Robinson Ltd, a Stafford-based haulage company said that lorries from the firm had been amongst the motorists affected by the roadworks. He said: "We are glad to see the back of these roadworks obviously. "The traffic has been moving more slowly along this stretch and through other works across the country.
"Unfortunately our drivers are used to dealing with speed restrictions and roadworks, but we are glad that at least one scheme has been completed, despite the delays."
The latest work started in January just one month after an earlier resurfacing project starting in September 2006 saw a similar 40mph restriction cause frustration for thousands of drivers.
The delays which set the more recent roadworks back were caused by the discovery of previously unknown wildlife habitats along the route and the extra work needed to support bridges under the motorway.
The roadworks on both carriageways involved laying a new noise reduction surface after issues were raised from people living close to the road about noise levels from traffic. The new road surface was laid over the existing concrete carriageway which should make driving smoother for motorists.
A new concrete barrier has also been installed on the central reservation.
It's more good news for local motorists this week after the Highways Agency announced that works near Cannock and Stafford will be suspended ahead of the bank holiday weekend. These include the A5 between Weeford and Gailey near Cannock, where new road markings were being laid plus the M6 between junction 13 and 14 at Stafford.
