Drivers face roadworks chaos

Motorists in Dudley borough are facing weeks of misery on the roads as two major schemes get under way next month.

Huge delays are expected in Sedgley as extensive gas works are undertaken in the town centre.

One-way systems and road closures being introduced for around two weeks from July 20. And just one week later, Himley Road in Lower Gornal will be shut for five weeks while groundwork is carried out to stabilise the subsiding carriageway, which will cause further misery.

In Sedgley, National Grid will carry out major gas main replacements in the town centre with a temporary one-way system being introduced in Bilston Street, between Castle Street and School Street.

And Castle Street will be closed at its junction with Bilston Street.

Work has been scheduled to start at the same time as the school holidays in a bid to ease the burden as traffic is expected to be lighter.

But Sedgley councillor Michael Evans said the work would still prove "extremely disruptive".

He said: "There is already a lot of congestion in Sedgley and this will aggravate the problem further."

During the works, expected to last until September 1, traffic will be diverted along Gorge Road, Hurst Road, Shaw Road, Birmingham New Road, Sedgley Road, Tipton Road, Tipton Street, Dudley Street and High Street.

In Lower Gornal, work is due to start in Himley Road on July 27 for five weeks as urgent groundwork repairs are carried out.

The street will be closed between Central Drive and Redhall Road with traffic diverted along Cinder Road, Stallings Lane, Tansey Green Road, Smithy Lane and Coopers Bank Road.

Gornal councillor Tim Wright said he sympathised with drivers as the work would "inevitably" lead to delays but he said it was essential that the repairs are carried out as there is evidence of subsidence.

"I can only apologise for the inconvenience but it is a matter of health and safety and we would not want to put anyone at risk," said Councillor Wright.