More misery for drivers due to A449 Stafford Road works

Council chiefs are looking to bring in the raft of new restrictions from October 6 and affect drivers who travel along the A449 Stafford Road in the Fordhouses area of the city before it reaches the junction with the M54.

New restrictions could include no waiting at any time along parts of the A449 Stafford Road in this area as well as along the nearby The Holmes, Farmbrook Avenue, Mill Greem, Milldale Road and Holme Mill.

People will not be able to load or unload their vehicles either along parts of the A449 Stafford Road, including the service road, Springfield Lane, Fontwell Road, Aintree Road, Lingfield Avenue, Chepstow Road, Taunton Avenue, the Broadlands, Farmbrook Road, Milldale Road and Redcar Road.

Drivers will also not be able to park for more than two hours along parts of A449 Stafford Road. This restriction will also be in place Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm in parts of nearby Aintree Road, Chepstow Road, Lingfield Avenue, Springfield Lane and Wetherby Close.

There will also be restrictions for drivers looking to make U-turns in the Broadlands and Springfield Lane. People will not be able to turn right from Stafford Road properties numbered 746 to 794 northbound to Stafford Road.

The Stafford Road service road at its junction with Springfield Lane will also see a speed limit of 20 miles per hour introduced.

The restrictions are being brought in as officials look to continue their 18-month roadwork scheme along the A449 Stafford Road.

The scheme began on at 7pm on March 13 this year and is due to completed by the start of May 2018.

The main works include the reduction of the central reservation and service road verge.

The scheme will also deliver more right turn lanes to improve safety and reduce delays; increased vehicle capacity at junctions; improved linkage of traffic signals; improved pedestrian crossings; enhanced cycle facilities; and traffic noise reduction.

Commenting on the plans, councillor Wendy Thompson, leader of the Conservative group in Wolverhampton said: "Time and time again I read letters from people who are fed up of having to navigate roadworks after roadworks.

"What always shocks me is apparent lack of empathy people at the council seem to have to drivers in the city.

"I think we should be doing all we can to make it as easy as possible for people to visit us, for the economic well-being of the city and its residents.

"Works such as this are only going to compound people's frustrations and make them want to stay away."

People looking to have their say on the plans should write to the council by October 6. To find out more, email the council's planning department at planning.propertyandcontracts@wolverhampton.gov.uk.