Call for night work to cut chaos

Calls have been made for more road works to be carried out during the night in a bid to reduce potential traffic chaos around Kidderminster.

The district has been plagued with roadworks which have caused disruption for motorists and businesses in the past year, according to Councillor Graham Ballinger. He said: "Last year, we had Severn Trent digging up the road along Comberton Hill causing major problems for the traders and people travelling to and from the town.

"That work didn't finish when it was supposed to.

"There were also county council roadworks on the Birmingham Road to install a new crossing that took longer than originally expected.

"Now new pipes are being layed in Bewdley and we hoping that work will finish within the timescale that has been given."

The Wyre Forest district Councillor for the Greenhill ward believes the only way cut down the inconvenience caused to drivers and traders is for the majority of the work to be done after the evening rush hour.

He said: "It would be a lot easier for people in Wyre Forest if contractors worked mostly at night. They could do the noiser work like drilling during the day so it didn't disrupt people trying to sleep but then do the rest of the work at night.

"The work would take half the time instead of causing major disruption."

But Worcestershire County Council's community and response manager, Jon Fraser, said having contractors working at night comes at a high cost.

He added: "Most of the work we do is in residential areas so we don't tend to carry out work at night.

"We have to pay premium costs for contractors to work through the night. We only do it in extreme circumstances when we need to get a job finished for a definite time. We do try to be considerate with roadworks and try to minimise disruption to people's lives."