Early end to roadworks misery

A £3.5 million roadworks scheme that led to job losses after cutting traders' takings by more than half will finish on Monday – three months earlier than planned.

The A4100 scheme in Cradley Heath started in October in a bid to tackle on-street parking and traffic congestion.

During 10 months of roadworks hell, owners put landmark rock 'n' roll venue The Regis Suite on the market for £900,000.

The move was taken after attendance at events and takings from the carvery dipped by more than half at the Reddal Hill Road venue.

But it has now emerged the road will reopen to two-way traffic within days, months ahead of the scheduled December finish date.

Traders today questioned whether the scheme was worthwhile and worried about its long-term impact on business.

Warren Rudge, owner of Ivans Fish & Chips in Reddal Hill Road, said: "The roadworks have been a fiasco. We lost about 30 per cent of our takings.

"It was an atrocious decision; the road's barely wider than when they started and the slowest part for traffic, Old Hill Cross, is just as slow as ever."

Sue Weston, of John Jones Footwear on Upper High Street, said owners had been forced to make one worker redundant in November after sales plummeted.

Council contractors sped up the schedule of works because of traders' concerns.

Councillor Derek Rowley, borough neighbourhood services chief, said: "This was a massive scheme on an extremely busy route. Obviously it meant disruption to people and shopkeepers, but I am sure they are delighted with the end result."

The scheme saw roads widened and new kerbs built, as well as parking bays for shoppers.