Delays warning as two-year work finally set to start on Stafford bypass
Drivers have been warned of major disruption around Stafford as part of the two-year scheme to build the new Western Access Route.
Road closures, temporary signals and diversions will all be in place throughout the work, which is due to take place between July this year and September 21.
It will become the second major roads project in the area, with work ongoing to turn the nearby stretch of the M6 between junctions 13 and 14 into a smart motorway.
The single-carriageway bypass will be around 750 yards long and link the A518 at Newport Road with the A34 at Foregate Street.
Traffic flow
The road is expected to improve traffic flow in Gaol Square, Newport Road east of Kingsway, Station Road, Chell Road, the A34 Foregate Street south of the scheme and Doxey Road.
Amey Highways will be carrying out the work on behalf of the county council and the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Enterprise Partnership, which secured £16.1 million through the Government’s Local Growth Fund.
The scheme is also set to include:
A 3m shared footway and cycleway
Traffic signal-controlled junctions at Foregate Street and Madford Retail Park
A new viaduct and embankment between Greyfriars Place and Doxey Road crossing the River Sow
Roundabouts along Doxey Road, near Doxey Road Car Park and at Saint Gobain
A letter sent to residents and businesses said: “To undertake the works safely there will be a variety of traffic management measures used, including road closures, traffic signal control, give and take, lane closures along A34 and pedestrian diversion routes, all of which will be advised as the works progress.
“Initial construction works include the installation of approximately 1,580 piles to allow for the construction of the viaduct foundations between Greyfriars Place and Doxey Road from July 2019 until January 2020. Inevitably there will be some noise and vibration coming from the site.
“The scheme, by its nature, is large and complex and cannot be carried out without causing disruption to traffic. However, our contractor Amey Highways will work hard to ensure delays are kept to a minimum and access is maintained to properties and businesses.
“Although every endeavour will be made to minimise disturbance, we apologise for any inconvenience caused to the public during this period.”
Assurances
Speaking at Thursday’s full county council meeting, Stafford West member Carolyn Trowbridge said the road was needed to deliver growth in the town but asked for reassurance that the project would "run as smoothly as possible" given the disruption caused by the M6 work.
Councillor Mark Winnington, Staffordshire County Council’s economic growth leader, responded: “Comparing it with Junction 13 I would say there is a major difference; the county council will be doing the Stafford Western Access Route and Highways England are doing Junction 13.”
Speaking after the meeting he added: “The Stafford Western Access Route is an essential part of Stafford’s ambitious growth plans.
"It will enable future development contained in the borough’s local plan – notably the delivery of thousands of new homes and business, office and retail space. It will also reduce congestion in the town centre, particularly around the railway station.
“We’re now looking forward to construction work getting under way in the summer and hope people will come along to the public information day on Monday June 3 to find out more about the scheme.”
