Major Staffordshire road scheme hit by further delays
A major £1.5m project to improve traffic islands at a busy gateway into a Staffordshire city has been hit by delays for the second time, it emerged today.
The works at the two Wall Islands in Lichfield was due to finish at the end of May and then at the end of June.
But further problems mean the scheme will continue now until the end of this month or even into August.
Highways Agency spokeswoman Pragati Baddhan said today: "The scheme has been delayed.
"We are now looking to finish at the end of July or early August."
She said there were three main reasons for the delay including problems with the drainage system which needs redesigning and parts of the road still need resurfacing.
She added: "We are also having to redesign the traffic management. Some people have been ignoring road closures."
The work, which started in February, is part of the Government's Pitch Point Programme to support Lichfield's future growth in light of thousands of homes being built.
The homes will be created over the next 15 years.
Traffic often builds up on both roundabouts during rush-hour in the morning and afternoon.
And council bosses said previously that the situation would get even worse when hundreds of new homes are built in Lichfield in the near future.
Since February drivers have been forced on long diversions as a result of night-time road closures at the two islands.
The project at the Wall Islands includes closing off parts of the southern island to redirect the flow of the traffic.
The layout of the northern island is being redesigned to improve the safety and flow of traffic.
Widening of lanes is also being carried out on the approach roads to the islands to increase capacity and traffic lights are being installed to reduce queuing.
Around 1,300 homes are being built in Lichfield before 2020.
Plans to build a mini village, including 450 new homes, a primary school and shops in Lichfield have been approved. Persimmon Homes will soon be developing the land off Shortbutts Lane.
The plans involve creating homes of various sizes, a new school, shops, community centre and children's play areas.
Elsewhere in the city proposals have been submitted by developer David Wilson Homes to build 150 new homes off Limburg Avenue next to a Waitrose supermarket.
