Misery for motorists as work starts

Five weeks of roadworks have started on a major route through Rowley Regis today, causing traffic misery for motorists.

Traffic backed up as work on a water main was carried out along Oldbury Road.

The road has been closed to replace a problem water main that caused misery when it burst and flooded a road and homes last month.

Companies in the area today said traffic had backed up around the diversion route and said they feared for their businesses during the five-week closure.

Oldbury Road will remain closed from its junction with Penncricket Lane to its junction with Station Road.

Access to all homes and businesses is being maintained.

But Ron Spencer, of Toucan Trading, a motors spare sand components firm on Oldbury Road, said many people did not know his business was still open.

He said: "We were promised signs to tell drivers we were still open but these haven't yet appeared.

"I understand the routes around the back are extremely congested and there are more temporary traffic lights on the diversion route. I have been told it is chaos there."

The work is being carried out by South Staffs Water in a bid to avoid further bursts to the main and the risk of flooding.

Further work will be necessary and a second closure of Oldbury Road will be ordered in the summer.