Warning of delays as roads set to close for repairs near M6
Motorists are facing more than four months of delays and disruption during bridge maintenance works near the M6.
It is one of a series of road schemes set to launch over the coming weeks causing long hold-ups for drivers in and around Cannock, Penkridge and Coven.
A road closure is now in place along Vicarage Road, Calf Heath, until the end of August for the re-waterproofing of the bridge that runs above the motorway.
Another stretch of the route will also be restricted to 30mph for the rest of the month as part of works by Staffordshire County Council.
The bridge is directly south of the Cannock motorway turn-off at junction 11.
Motorists in the area are already suffering delays due to work on a neighbouring M6 bridge. Maintenance started last month on a 15-week project to refurbish the Hilton Lane bridge which is shut until June 30.
The bridge is located near Hilton Park services between junction 11 and 10a for Essington.
South Staffordshire councillor Mike Boyle said: "This work will cause delays and long detours. The Hilton Road closure puts an extra two miles on my journey to get across to council meetings at Codsall.
"It's become a congestion blackspot. These new roadworks are going to create more problems for motorists."
Highways Agency project manager Colin Jackson said that an inspection recently had revealed the waterproofing system on the bridges coming to the end of their life so steps were needed to ensure they remained watertight for a long time to come.
He said they would remove the road surface, safety barriers, kerbs and verge, apply the new waterproofing course before putting everything back again.
No closures are in place on the motorway itself.
News of the latest road scheme comes as motorists are already braced for work on the main A449 between Coven and Penkridge.
A lane closure will be in place at the Gravelly Way junction to allow for signalisation work until May 11. The restrictions will operate from 9.30am until 3.30pm.
Gas works are also due to be carried out on Wolverhampton Road, Penkridge, from today (WED) to April 21 leading to warnings of delays. With similar works also being undertaken in Belt Road, Cannock, due until towards the end of the month.
