Traffic chaos on the way for Kidderminster

Other work around the area is also causing misery and hold-ups.

National Grid contractors are carrying out work to replace metal gas pipes and have installed temporary traffic lights on Chester Road North. Hold-ups are expected because of the work, which is being carried out near the Rose Theatre and Waverley Close.

Motorists are being advised to seek alternative routes and to allow extra time for journeys.

Jane Taylor, spokesman for National Grid, said: "We will have the temporary traffic lights so that traffic can still use Chester Road North.

"However, there will be a partial closure of the road, and the work on replacing an old metal gas main is expected to last for five weeks.

"We have recently had some gas escapes and will be replacing that stretch of main which will avoid emergency street works in the future."

Severn Trent Water is repairing a collapsed sewer at Sion Hill, Kidderminster, between the A449 Stourbridge Road and Upton Road.

Worcestershire Highways has closed Chester Road South between the Wheldon roundabout and Spennells Valley roundabout for carriageway resurfacing. A road closure is also in force at Buckeridge Bank for Severn Trent Water to lay new water mains. The Bull Ring in Kidderminster still has a road closure as the site is being used as a compound while paving is laid by Worcestershire Highways. This closure is not expected to be lifted until September.

Kerbing and drainage works are also being carried out at Discovery Road, between Worcester Road and Severn Road, in Stourport.

Councillor Graham Ballinger, a member of Wyre Forest District Council, said: "It is absolute chaos on the roads around Kidderminster.

"The other day a 10-minute journey took me an hour to complete.

"The county council should have co-ordinated things and put up diversionary route signs."

A spokesman for Worcestershire County Council said: "All the signage was in place including diversionary signs."