Up in arms over road closure

Plans to close a major commuter road linking Staffordshire and the Black Country have sparked fears traffic will cut through side roads putting villagers' safety at risk.

It emerged yesterday that the A34 Walsall Road in Great Wyrley would be closed to commuters for four days starting on Monday. Staffordshire Highways bosses have put in place a nine-mile diversion to avoid the few yards of roadworks.

The work is being carried out by Ansa Utilities who need to repair a major drain in the middle of the A34 forcing the Staffordshire County Council to close the road.

Now there are fears that the thousands of drivers will ignore the lengthy diversion in favour of trying to cut through the village's smaller roads.

Councillor John Jones, chairman of Great Wyrley Parish Council, said he was concerned about the traffic problems.

He said he had lived in the village for more than 30 years and he could not remember the whole carriageway being closed before.

He said: "We have been absolutely astounded by it really. It's going to cause chaos in this village.

"We have contacted the Highways Agency and the contractors but have been told there's no way around it." He added: "People will be trying to cut through the village and it's going to be an absolute nightmare.

"I just hope there are no hold-ups such as the weather as we want this over as soon as possible."

Jeremy Herbert, a spokesman for Staffordshire County Council, said there was no way of stopping drivers taking short cuts through the village.

He said: "We are appealing to people to use the diversion and we agree it would be a risk to safety to have people cutting through the village which is why we have put the diversion in place, to protect the local community.

"We know it is a long way but motorists must keep to the diversion as it keeps things moving."

He added: "People might think it is quicker to cut round the roadworks but it is easy to get lost and confused especially with lots of other drivers trying to do the same."