Multi-million pound Stafford road scheme reaches next milestone
The Stafford Western Access Route is driving towards its next milestone with demolition works poised to start making way for a new roundabout.
Vacant buildings on Doxey Road, formerly the home of Stafford-based company Saint Gobain, will be pulled down changing the landscape of the town.
And on November 8 a temporary roundabout will come into use on Doxey Road providing access to Stafford Borough Council offices and Sainsbury’s car park while the current access closes for the new roundabout to be built.
The buildings to be demolished include an office block, gatehouse and former factory.
All the masonry will be crushed and used within the Stafford Western Access project.
Once built the enlarged roundabout, adjacent to Doxey Road car park and the former Saint Gobain site, will link up with the new route.
Councillor Mark Winnington, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for economic growth, said: “Work is now well under way on this long-awaited project which is vital for Stafford’s future growth.
“This is a significant milestone – changing the landscape off Doxey Road by removing vacant industrial buildings.
“Next month also sees a change in the configuration of Doxey Road and the Sainsbury’s temporary access arrangements.
"We will be keeping in contact with local residents, businesses and partner organisations throughout the scheme.”
The new route will link the A34 Foregate Street at Madford Retail Park to the A518 Newport Road Castlefields junction.
The road will help improve traffic flow in Gaol Square, Newport Road, Station Road, Chell Road, Foregate Street and Doxey Road.
It will also include improved conditions for bus services, pedestrians and cyclists, as well as environmental benefits through the redevelopment of areas of derelict land, say the council.
The new road is being funded by developers and with £15.5 million secured by the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Enterprise Partnership through the Government’s Local Growth Fund.
A full closure of Doxey Road will need to be put in place for one weekend in early 2021 and again for four weeks just afterwards.
