One way system for busy Stafford road while works take place this summer

The work on the Lichfield Road stretch between Riverway and the Queensville Roundabout is the latest phase of the £8m project to improve the A34 in the south of the county town.

Substantial work on the Radford Bank to Queensville stretch, including surfacing, was completed last month. The Radford river bridge still needs to be resurfaced however, because of impending utility diversion works.

Night time joint repairs and roadmarking are due to take place this month and there will be Sunday nightime road closures in place at Queensville Roundabout, between 8pm and 6am on June 8, 15 and 22, while this work takes place. This means the north west arm of the roundabout in the Queensville Stores area will be shut with access to residents and frontages only – access to Ampleforth Drive and Queens Retail Park will be via Silkmore Lane or Radford Bank.

On June 30, as the scheme progresses towards the town centre, a one-way traffic order will be in place from Riverway to the Queensville Roundabout. Traffic will be able to travel out of town on the A34, but motorists driving north towards the town centre will be diverted via Silkmore Lane, Rickerscote and Rising Brook.

The traffic order will be in place until late October. Staffordshire County Council has said the out-of-town direction was chosen to reduce the impact on emergency services and affected businesses on the route.

During this time the carriageway and footway are set to be resurfaced and there will also be drainage repairs, an upgrade of the existing traffic signal and improvements to pedestrian crossing points. Work is also taking place on the railway bridge including strengthening, waterproofing and footway protection, as well as drainage and cycleway improvements.

Nearby businesses and residents have been informed of the upcoming roadworks. On Thursday (June 5) a public information event was held at Stafford Cricket and Hockey Club, where visitors were able to view maps of the planned works and speak to engineers.

County and borough councillor Ann Edgeller was one one of the visitors to Thursday’s event. She campaigned for improvements to the A34 in the south of Stafford.

Councillor Edgeller said: “For six years I was fighting to get the work done at Radford Bank. I have had good responses from people saying what a good job the roundabout was, but we need signs to make sure people are going into the right lanes and a keep clear sign outside Ampleforth Drive.

“It’s work that’s got to be done and I am conscious it’s going to cause a little bit of disruption. But at the end of the day we will all be grateful when it is finished – please drive safely.”

Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Strategic Highways Peter Mason said: “The A34 scheme is hugely significant for Stafford as it is bringing lasting improvements on one of the key routes into Stafford from the south of the county. As we move on to the next and final stage towards Riverway, we have been updating residents and businesses on the scheme including traffic management plans through letters, our public information event and local and social media.

“We will of continue to provide regular updates throughout the remainder of the scheme. And people can also visit the webpage which contains the latest information.”