A COUNCILLOR is calling for answers on delays to a long-running roadworks scheme in Lichfield.
It comes after highways chiefs at Staffordshire County Council confirmed work to complete a revamped junction at Watery Lane and Eastern Avenue would now not be completed until December.
Overnight road closures are also planned before the road can fully reopen.
But Cllr Matthew Wallens, Reform UK representative for Lichfield City North at Staffordshire County Council and Curborough ward at Lichfield District Council, said those blighted by the disruption deserved answers.
“Residents have been more than patient during the months of disruption caused by the Eastern Avenue and Watery Lane junction works.
“These works were originally scheduled to be completed in November, yet we now learn they will run into December with overnight closures.
“This delay is not a minor inconvenience. It will mean more weeks of noise pollution, disturbance and restricted access for local people, many of whom live close to the works and will now face late-night disruption in the run-up to Christmas.”
Cllr Wallens said he would be calling for contractors to explain why the project timelines have slipped and whether compensation or mitigation can be provided to those most impacted by the work.
he said:
“Local people deserve transparency and accountability – I will continue to press for both on their behalf.”
Civil engineering projects are notorious for delays and over running as until you start digging you don’t know what the problems there might be
There are questions to be answered as to the award of this contract and its subsequent delays. A starting point might be to ask SCC why they awarded it to a contractor based 40 miles away in Telford, was price the deciding factor?
Most of the times I drive past there’s NO workmen there ? Would nt it have been quicker and easier to build a roundabout ? But I’m not a highly paid educated ENGINEER just a bloke with common sense ? I suppose the next one will be by the Dr Johnson pub cos they seem to breed down Eastern Ave
Pretty sure when they first started the sign said it would be complete by the summer. Most days there are only a handful of people working on it so no wonder it is late being completed.
No surprises here then , just look how long it took them to complete watery lane. I cant count how many times I have driven through these road works with no one working at all. !
Wonder if there is penalty clause for late completion, probably not, or how about no final 25% payment until completed. Maybe then contractor would get more workers on the job
I walked past at about 9.30 this morning. One man working, three smoking, one clearing the pavement, one with a shovel leaning on it. Coming back about 45 minutes later, one man sitting in his digger on the phone, no one else on site. No wonder it’s months overdue.
Perhaps they’re just stringing it out until they can start on the much needed road works for the new leisure centre, that must require lights, island etc. I’m sure that will be their 2026 project.
And now we have an update saying they are closing the road through streethay. The diversions will no doubt take traffic up the eastern bypass. It will be impossible to get in or out of Lichfield unless you want to sit in hours of traffic….brilliant planning, again….
@jolly roger – and people think small boats are the problem with this country? This is your typical British worker and the reason the country is a mess