RESIDENTS have warned that a road closure in Lichfield could put lives at risk if HGVs use a nearby estate as an alternative.
A stretch of the A5127 Burton Road through Streethay is due to shut for two weeks from 14th November.
It will mean traffic accessing and exiting the A38 would need to find an alternative route.
Although Staffordshire County Council says the official diversion will see HGVs directed to use A-roads, people living on the Roman Heights housing development say they fear vehicles will look to use residential roads to get around the closure instead.
Local resident Stuart Reeves has written to local councillors and officials calling for action to ensure the safety of those living in the area.
He said:
“The narrow width, residential character and chicane on Oak Way make it entirely unsuitable for a high volume of heavy vehicles.
“Increased traffic will raise the likelihood of damage to property and serious accidents, as heavy vehicles struggle to navigate through narrow turns, parked cars and high pedestrian activity areas by the school and local shops.
“Imagine young children walking to and from school with HGVs passing precariously close – it is an image no parent should have to consider.
“We need assurances that our safety and wellbeing will not be sacrificed and ask for immediate and decisive action to ensure that HGVs and traffic are not allowed to use our residential roads.”
The A5127 closure will come on the back of a series of roadworks in the area as part of new residential developments and the HS2 project.
Another resident, who did not wish to be named, said the concerns of locals about disruption during works on nearby roads had continually been cast aside.
She explained:
“We’ve endured delay after delay in Streethay as they put roadworks followed by more roadworks in place. But this is not just an inconvenience, it’s also about safety.
“The thought of A38 traffic routing through a residential estate is one which I’m amazed anyone would allow to become a reality.
“We need assurances that steps will be taken to ensure HGVs don’t try to get around the closure through our housing estate.”
Cllr Mark Deaville, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for strategic highways, said signs would be in place directing traffic to use alternative routes.
“The work taking place on the A5127 Burton Road in Lichfield supports the new housing development in the area.
“Road safety is paramount to us and I want to assure Streethay residents that the diversion will stay entirely on the A road network – via the A38 using Cappers Lane – avoiding residential areas.
“Clear advance signage will guide HGVs and other traffic to follow the designated route.
“The highway network in and around Lichfield is under a lot pressure to facilitate developments, road improvements and utility works. Coordinating these projects is an ongoing challenge. Although efforts are made to prevent overlaps, this is not always possible, especially in recent years, with HS2 work in the area.
“I thank Lichfield residents for their patience and assure them that we are making every effort to ensure work is carried out safely and with minimal disruption.”
Don’t how people live round around there, will be in the Guinness Book of records for the longest running roadworks
It’s a shame Cllr Mark Deaville doesn’t seem to know Cappers Lane will be closed from 18 to 22 November (i.e. during the A5127 closure). If he had known, he might have realised his comments about the diversion are nonsense.
https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/notice-of-traffic-mamangement-on-cappers-lane-lichfield/#:~:text=We%20will%20close%20a%20section,be%20maintained%20at%20all%20times.
If they’re closing the A5127 then also close the slip roads on and off the A38 as well. That way there will be no issues with anyone trying to use the estate as a short cut.
Guarantee the HGVs will ignore the signs unless there is a police presence. We have weight restriction signs around Lichfield now that they ignore because the police are useless at enforcement. They can’t be bothered. And total waste of time asking.
The residents and businesses living in this area have been well and truly shafted. I can not believe that in this day and age it is beyond the ability of the local authority to liase with the various contractors and utility providers so that all of the work that has blighted this area, (for what feels like years), could be co-ordinated to be done at the same time instead of allowing drips and drabs with a bit here and a bit there approach. Yes, emergencies do occur, but the installation of services and alterations to highways for the new estate being built have been on the cards for a while. All it needed was the council, when approached by the contractors and utility companies, to say ‘do it all at the same time together’. Sooner roads be closed for a solid week or two rather than to drag all of this on and on and on and on….And if the council think all traffic will follow their diversion routes they are deluded. Tom Tom says go and go they will, straight through the Roman Heights.
How ironic that residents of recently built houses are complaing about the traffic problems at Streethay now ? Where have you been for the last 5 years whilst the residents of Lichfield for many years have had to suffer ?
The way the council allows new housing estates to be built around Lichfield for NEW residents it’s NOT going to get any better so it’s a case of like the rest of us you’ll have to put with it FOR YEARS TO COME ?
Lichfield gets the grease because it squeaks loud enough .
Hopwas in LDC area suffers from HGV and aggrigate trucks through the village in a clearly signed 7.5 ton limit. For Years
Right now due to an 11 week closure on Coton Lane
Agrigate trucks are taking a short cut dangerously all day
No one cares its on the fringe of LDC