A HIGHWAYS chief is calling for more to be done to support people impacted by the delayed reopening of a slip road in Lichfield.
The northbound A38 link at Streethay has been closed due to HS2 works in the area.
It had been due to open in October, but that has now been delayed until April 2027.
The news means further misery for local residents who are only able to exit Streethay via the bottleneck island at Trent Valley.
Staffordshire County Council's cabinet member for strategic highways Cllr Peter Mason has written to HS2 Ltd, calling on them to provide a fair package of funding and practical support for affected communities and the local road network. The council says the longer closure will also affect planned road maintenance, with some work likely to be delayed.
Cllr Mason said:
"Residents, businesses and road users have already faced a lot of disruption, so this further delay is very disappointing. "We understand safety must come first, but the extended closure will keep putting pressure on local roads and journeys in and around Lichfield. "HS2 Ltd needs to recognise this impact and provide proper support for the people, businesses and roads affected. This is why I have asked them for an appropriate package of mitigation measures and financial support for the affected communities and highway network."
The county council is calling for HS2 to provide an extra £45,600 for extra patching with in the A5127, £60,000 for repairs on Watery Lane, support towards the £759,000 needed for major maintenance at the Sainte Foy Avenue and Limburg Avenue roundabout, and a contribution towards the £435,000 bill for wider road maintenance in Lichfield, estimated at £435,000.
The authority also believes more community funding and environmental improvements should be provided for the areas most affected by the ongoing delays.
