A HAGLEY councillor has called on Highways bosses to look at the way roadworks are planned after the village became ‘snarled with congestion’.
Coun Steve Colella said, during the last three years, Hagley had seen almost daily roadworks, temporary traffic lights, dangerous driving and congestion.
This, he said, went from one end of the highways network and included long-queuing traffic,particularly between the A491 and Newfield Road with the junction of the A456, as well as the junction with Station Road and Brake Lane.
Both junctions are now facing housing development applications totalling almost 300 more houses.
He told the Standard: “Hagley used to be known for its hall, rolling countryside and wonderful country walks, a vibrant high street and a great community.
“This is now fast being overtaken as the place of daily traffic nightmares.
“The frustration from residents and road users is now tangible.
“There’s frustration with the repeated road works, road closures, the lack of activity in the road works and the almost non-existent traffic management.”
Coun Colella expressed concerns over safety.
He said there had been reports of vehicles jumping temporary lights, HGVs and vehicles going the wrong way down one-way streets and vehicles, taking shortcuts through housing estates, driving over pavements, and taking down traffic bollards to get around the congestion.
“Something terrible is going to happen if something isn’t done soon, and to add insult to injury there has been no support from Worcestershire County Highways (who now seem to be in financial difficulties) both in terms of traffic management and supporting people against the lack of investment in the Highways and the clear overdevelopment of Hagley.”
He also criticised the developers, saying the marketing material they had issued claiming ‘the impacts of applications would be minimal just did not stack up’.
“I call on the authorities to wake up and come and meet me, other colleagues and the public to experience the nightmares for themselves.”
A Worcestershire County Council spokesperson said: “We recognise the disruption that residents and road users are experiencing as a result of the ongoing Cadent Gas works and we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused.
“These works form part of Cadent’s essential, long‑term programme to replace ageing gas mains and ensure the continued safety and reliability of the network in accordance with Health and Safety Executive Enforcement Policy.
“We continue to work closely with Cadent and neighbouring authorities to plan and sequence the works in stages to minimise disruption where we can, while still allowing the essential upgrades to progress safely and efficiently.
“We have asked Cadent to arrange a public meeting when works are planned for the High Street in Hagley.”
