Millions of pounds to be spent on highways

A series of schemes worth millions of pounds are going ahead to revitalise the ageing roads in Stafford.

Staffordshire Highways has unveiled the plans to upgrade the gas supplies and road surfaces on Newport Road, Gaol Road, Sandon Road and Browning Street as well as announced it is moving onto the next phase with its works on Bridge Street.

The three separate schemes are worth a total of around £2.25million.

Almost £600,000 is being invested in revamping the busy stretch of the Newport Road from West Way to the M6 overbridge.

Work will begin from the second week of July when the road will be stripped and resurfaced while the pavements and kerbs are rebuilt. Most of the surfacing will be done at night, with footpath and kerbing work daytime.

Temporary lights will be installed and there will be a few over night closures of West Way and Sundown Drive at the junction with Newport Road. The work is expected to last a couple of months.

Gaol Road will close at the end of the month while gas mains are replaced in the narrow street. By the end of July the road should be reopened and £650,000 project to resurface Sandon Road and Browning Street will start.

The £1million project to pedestrianise Bridge Street is moving on as workers start to add paving.

From Monday the bottom of Greengate Street will be closed off and traffic will only be able to pass one way from Mill Bank to South Walls until autumn. This is to allow the new gas main in Bridge Street to be linked up with the surrounding junctions.

Councillor Mike Maryon, cabinet member for highways, said the works should have been planned to minimise the impact for both drivers and the community.

He said: "These three highway and gas projects are vital to protect the long term future for the town. Staffordshire Highways has worked closely with the utility companies to take advantage of the summer holiday slot to get these vital works done, while scheduling to avoid key events like the annual Stafford Castle Shakespeare performance."