Stafford roadworks cause traffic chaos as school starts
Traffic mayhem has hit Stafford once again as part of the town ground to a halt during roadworks – as schools started back after summer.
The rush-hour queues in the Beaconside area of Stafford came as the schools returned after the summer break this week, bringing a surge in morning traffic.
The major roadworks on the busy Beaconside route are due to homes being built, with part of the road becoming a dual carriageway and three sets of permanent traffic lights being installed.
During the works, the speed limit has been reduced from 50mph to 30mph, causing traffic to build up - particularly during rush hour.
The work is being carried out by Staffordshire County Council on behalf of Taylor Wimpey, as the developer builds 250 homes at the Marston Grange site.
The roadworks have been causing delays for drivers since the work started in July, particularly around the Parkside Avenue junctions onto the A513 Beaconside along with Beaconside’s junction with Newbold Drive where the traffic lights are being installed.
But this week they have been made worse with parents rejoining the morning rush-hour as the autumn term begins. It has resulted in bumper to bumper traffic around 9am.
Work also involves duelling the A513 from Redhills land to just beyond Parkside Avenue junction.
Temporary lights are currently in place before the main work starts getting under way in 2018. According to the latest update, the roadworks will be in place until January 20 in 2019.
The disruption comes after Lichfield Road, from Stafford Cinema to the A34 roundabout, was hit by resurfacing work for about a month earlier this year. In June 2014, Beaconside was closed for 10 weeks while drains were replaced.
