Sat nav drivers missing bypass

Lorry drivers with out-of-date sat navs are not using a £24 million bypass around Rugeley because they do not know it exists.

Highways bosses are blaming old sat navs for the continuing problem of HGVs driving through the town's streets.

Parents and councillors have complained to transport bosses at Staffordshire County Council over concerns lorries are still driving along Station Road and Wolseley Road near to Chancel Primary School.

The school has launched a campaign to try and get a crossing warden near the school after cars have been driving through red lights.

Highways bosses say there is no reason for HGVs to drive through the town as the new bypass, which opened last year, is a faster and easier route around.

The bypass was meant to ease congestion in Rugeley.

Dave Botfield from Staffordshire Highways said: "One reason for HGVs still using the town is because the bypass is not on the maps yet.

"It has got to be easier for them to use that new bypass road rather than go through the town."

Mr Botfield has pledged to look at improving the signage around Chancel Primary School in a bid to make it safer for pupils walking to and from school.