Weeks of chaos for drivers as Stourbridge road goes one-way

From tomorrow, traffic will not be able to exit the Stourbridge ring road onto the A491, meaning motorists face long detours in what is already a notoriously congested area.

Stourbridge councillor Nicholas Barlow said the scheme was going create huge problems in the town.

National Grid is replacing gas mains at High Street, Amblecote. The work will result in the road becoming one-way from Wollaston Road.

Motorists will be able to get onto the ring road via Amblecote but traffic will not be able to go in the opposite direction.

Lengthy diversions have instead been set up which will mean drivers heading north towards Wordsley will have to head down the Bridgnorth Road, onto High Street, Wollaston, join onto Wollaston Road before finally being able to get back onto the A491.

It is likely to mean a major headache for people heading out of Stourbridge at rush hour. The A491 is notoriously slow at peak times around Wordsley and Amblecote with the roadworks going to create even more disruption.

The work will at least begin over the Easter weekend when there are two bank holidays but National Grid said it expects the work to continue until at least April 10.

Councillor Barlow said: "The trouble is Stourbridge is strangled by the ring road so no matter what route is put in place it is going to have a big effect. There is going to be a huge impact.

"We have got the problem with the two sets of traffic lights by the football ground which local councillors have been trying for years to get rid of because they are pointless. I do wonder why these sort of roadworks aren't done at night."

Councillor Barlow warned people to plan their journeys to avoid being caught out.

He said: "It is one of those jobs that needs doing. I would say to people plan your journeys a bit more carefully. People need to be made aware, there needs to be sufficient signage, not just in a several hundred yard signage."