A KEY route into Stratford town centre is back open in both directions after the first stage of roadworks were completed.
Birmingham Road is back open to two-way traffic, and the adjoining junction with St Peter’s Way is now also reopened, following the completion of the first section of a Warwickshire County Council improvement scheme.
The work, on the eastern side of Birmingham Road from Bishopton Roundabout to 386 Birmingham Road has included the installation of a new storm water sewer, new street lighting to modern standards and a new shared footway and cycleway.
Work on the western side of the road included widening of the outbound lane to ease congestion on the approach to Bishopton Roundabout.
With that work now completed, attention will focus on the second stage.
This stage should be completed by the end of January and will include new drainage, construction of a new path connecting Worths Way to the entrance to Squirrels Street, building a new crossing point between those two points, slight widening of the shared use path on the inbound side and a new bus shelter.
Two-way traffic will still be able to run on Birmingham Road using narrow lanes.
Coun Tim Sinclair, Warwickshire county councillor for Stratford North, said: “I am extremely pleased that the work on section one has been completed and the disruptive closures have been lifted. I appreciate the frustration the necessary works caused for residents and local businesses alike. Where WCC faced delays due to bad weather, I worked hard to secure additional resources and Saturday working. As a result, we have managed to complete the works on schedule.
“Throughout the works, it has been necessary to be flexible. The potential congestion issues that the two mop events would have created were addressed by lifting the traffic management at those times. We will continue to listen and engage with the community as work on other sections progresses. There is still much to be done but I am hopeful that traffic flow will now be greatly improved for residents and visitors. My thanks go again to all those affected by the scheme for their ongoing patience.”
For more details on the scheme visit https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/major-transport-construction-projects/birmingham-road-stratford/2
