Major work causes 'mayhem' on route

Traffic is being brought to a standstill along a main road into Kinver due to the latest phase of major works. The situation has been described as "mayhem".

Temporary lights at the bottom of Stone Lane at the junction of the High Street are causing gridlock as queues of cars and buses back up to Potters Cross about 300 yards away. Residents and traders along the High Street have also been warned they could have their water supply cut for up to four days this week as part of the works.

On Friday bin lorries were forced to abandon collections at Riverside Court because the driveway was blocked.

James Constable, who runs Kays the Butchers in the High Street, said customers were telling him cars were bumper to bumper.

Mr Constable, aged 36, said: "It was mayhem, totally chaotic. I was told cars were backing up from the bottom of Stone Lane to Potters Cross.

"I know the work has to be done but it's a pain because of the last lot of works only a year ago."

The scheme to upgrade water, gas and electricity should have finished on Friday but has been delayed by a week.

Leader of South Staffordshire District Council, councillor Brian Edwards, said it was a pioneering approach to carry out the works in one go to minimise disruption.

But one angry trader, who would not be named, said: "It's a pioneering cock-up.

"I have complained to the police because there was gridlock and it took me 20 minutes to travel just 200 yards. At one point I thought there was going to be road rage because drivers were getting so irate.

"Eventually the workmen had to start controlling the traffic themselves."

Councillor Edwards said: "It is quite a stretch for cars to queue and I expect it will be worse on Monday.

"But the fact is if the work was not done in one go it would take 16 weeks instead of five." He also reassured residents their bins would be collected.

A spokesman for South Staffordshire Water, Mike Turrell, said letters had been sent out advising the supply would be interrupted between 8am and 8pm today for the High Street. If problems arise it could mean the supply being off for four days, but Mr Turrell said he did not anticipate this being the case.