Road misery for drivers

Motorists in Cannock are facing months of traffic misery on one of the busiest roads through the town.

Roadworks lasting 19 weeks have started on Lichfield Road which has been reduced to one lane and is operating a contraflow system with traffic lights. The roadworks are near to the junction with Girton Road and the entrance to the Mill Green Nature Reserve.

Lichfield Road is the main route into Cannock from the Eastern Way dual carriageway and one of the busiest roads in the area.

The work is part of a £300,000 road safety scheme to install traffic lights at the junction of Devon Road and Lichfield Road.

The project is aimed at slashing accident rates at the junction.

The aim is to improve safety for vehicles turning into and out of Devon Road as well as helping to reduce speeds along Lichfield Road and making the area safer for pedestrians and motorists.

The section of Lichfield Road between the railway bridge and Leacroft Island will be resurfaced at the same time in order to minimise disruption.

Temporary traffic signals are in place which will operate from around 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday.

Residents and businesses showed their support for the scheme during a consultation exercise which was carried out over the summer.

In total 89 per cent of the people quizzed said they were in favour of the project.

Roadworks have also started in Hednesford at the junction of Market Street with Rugeley Road.

South Staffs Water is carrying out the work to install a water meter and to increase the water capacity of its mains.

One lane of Market Street, at the junction with Rugeley Road will closed for approximately four weeks.