Lichfield roadworks hit by delays for the third time
A major £1.5million project to improve traffic islands at a busy gateway into a Staffordshire city due to finish by the end of August will not be completed until next month, it has emerged.
The scheme to revamp the car clogged two Wall Islands off the A5 in Lichfield was first due to finish at the end of May, before it was pushed back to June.
It was then earmarked for completion by the end of August but now a finish date of September 12 has been tabled by the Highways Agency, who are carrying out the work.
Bosses have blamed hold-ups on the site on the sheer scale of the project.
Since February, drivers have been forced on long diversions as a result of night-time road closures at the two islands to pave the way for the works.
The project has included 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.
New traffic lights still need to be installed at the two islands. Widening of lanes is also being carried out on the approach roads to the islands to increase capacity.
Staffordshire County Council's transport boss, Councillor Mark Winnington, today said it would be worth the wait when it has finally been completed.
He said: "These works are being carried out by the Highways Agency. Once work has been completed it will free up the traffic and the economy. I applaud the work.
"What we want is for the A5 to be freed up so that traffic flows freely. We want the infrastructure in place to support new businesses and any new houses that are being built."
There have been three main reasons for the delays, according to the Highways Agency, including problems with the drainage system which needed redesigning and parts of the road needed resurfacing.
The work started in February and 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 they feared the situation would get even worse when the new properties are built.
The Highways Agency was not available for comment.
