Motorists are being urged to avoid using a road near Lichfield as a diversion route after a number of vehicles were damaged by potholes.
Broad Lane has been closed after “urgent issues” were identified by highways teams.
With the A38 slip road at Streethay currently shut, many satnavs are directing drivers into Lichfield via Brookhay Lane and the now closed Broad Lane.
But residents living on Park Lane say their road is being used as an alternative despite it being unsuitable for many vehicles.
One told Lichfield Live:
“Park Lane is a very narrow, single track road with several sharp bends and no pull ins, just grass verges that have to be used as passing places every time two vehicles meet.
“This has made the lane very dangerous with thick mud on the road and the verges are all churned up with mud.
“There are several large, deep potholes that are now extremely dangerous and we know of several tyre blow outs since the traffic was diverted that have resulted in people changing wheels on residents drives as the lane is too narrow and busy to do this safely on the road.”
Park Lane resident
The resident said she had seen at least ten drivers needing to use driveways to change damaged tyres.
“This lane is totally unsuitable for the traffic HS2 have forced to use it with the closure of the A38 Streethay junction.
“Large lorries, car transporters and other heavy traffic are using the road making it very dangerous for residents who live on the lane. This has been made worse as a large number of drivers are travelling far too fast for the lane and for the muddy condition the lane is now in.
“Park Lane is a lovely country lane used by locals for walking, running, horse riding and cycling. It’s not a major road I am amazed no-one has been seriously hurt.”
Park Lane resident
A county council spokesperson confirmed that Park Lane was being used as a diversion route during the Broad Lane closure.
They added that the council looks for the most appropriate diversion available at the time that provides the minimum disruption during a road closure.
Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, Cllr David Williams, said:
“Our highways crews have been made aware of a number of urgent defects on Broad Lane and for safety reasons have temporarily closed the road until a full assessment and required repairs can be made.
“Crews will be working as a matter of urgency to get the road reopened as soon as possible. People should use the signed diversion until the road is reopened.
“We have one of the largest road networks in the country and keeping our highways in a good state of repair remains an ongoing and costly challenge. Last year, we completed around 16,000 pothole jobs around the county, which often consist of two or three potholes.
“People can report highways issues at www.staffordshire.gov.uk.”
Cllr David Williams, Staffordshire County Council
The closure of Broad Lane is currently expected to run until 10th March.
Like most roads in the area then!
Do you think you could fix the potholes in the vicinity of the Police Base location Stafford Road, Eastern Avenue and Western bypass, approach to the traffic light junction.
Also Friary Road/Walsall Road not far from the deputy Council Leaders house vicinity of the traffic light crossing. These Councillors seem oblivious or just can’t be bothered to report them or they all travel by magic carpet?
Both of the locations I have mentioned are main heavily used routes.
Why can’t you admit, you’ve let the roads get worn out and are now beyond pot hole repair.
As an example, there is a pothole I’ve seen repaired three times. The original pothole repaired, then pot hole in front, then pothole behind and now pothole at side, waiting to be repaired, you are wasting your time.
I and my son have had over thousand pounds worth damage caused to our cars through our roads
Both Park Lane and Broad Lane are very dangerous. Will both be mended I wonder? Routes from Fradley are now mostly closed with the A38 Streethay slip, Watery Lane and now Broad Lane options all closed off. When will this ill thought out mishmash of competing road works and the endemic highways underfunding be brought under control?
Cappers Lane is a disgrace!! In urgent need of repair. But what next door HS2
Considerate Constructors! Not!
Who’s the idiot with the thumps down. Do you enjoy driving over pot holes then?
HS2 told me they have advised the council they can use HS2 funds to repair Cappers Lane. It’s so dangerous, pot holes both sides of the road. Road no longer fit for purpose.
Well netherstowe Lane is been used like a rat run for cars which is putting cyclists using the national cycle route in danger of been seriously hurt or possibly killed.
Do subscribers to this news and comments page not already use or are even aware of our County Council Highways’ on-line “Report It” facility ?
It’s been around for several years now, so should surely be the GO-TO option to get road defects progressed rather than tapping away for the same amount of time working off their irritation on this page ?
There are a strata of people who think that their Councillors” should use part of their voluntary input to do this reporting on behalf of people – again don’t chunter to your Councillor and expect them to wipe your proverbial for you, spend the same amount of effort by going to the horses mouth and use “Report It”.
MN05
The majority of us Tax Payers expect that Councils are fully responsible to keep on top of the maintenance. Sadly, the reality is not the case and requires reporting because a lot of this maintenance is sub-contracted to private firms
Reply to MN05 – Even when issues are reported on the online “Report It” facility, they are very rarely resolved. I’ve reported many issues with roads and pavements and months later the issues are still there.
Lets be honest, the damage has been caused by huge quantity of aggregate trucks continuously running between quarries and HS2 sites… taking short cuts to reduce times, increase profits. When will HS2 get this under control?