URGENT talks are being called for about the “epidemic of roadworks” in Stratford.
Liberal Democrat councillors in the town are calling for immediate talks with Warwickshire County Council about the spate of roadworks which are leading to long delays and frustration for drivers.
Coun Kate Rolfe, WCC’s member for Stratford South, is demanding a joined up approach whereby longer term roadworks and works by utility companies tie together.
It comes with the A439 Warwick Road closed to northbound traffic and the patience of motorists trying to navigate the town wearing thin. One woman reported a journey time of an hour from Tiddington to the town centre, when three-way temporary traffic signals were installed on the Clopton Bridge.
Coun Roger Harding, who sits on Stratford District Council, said: “In 2023, Warwick Road was carrying over 17,000 vehicles a day, which means 8,500 vehicles a day have been displaced.
“The official diversion route is Birmingham Road. Madness. It’s already carrying 18,000 vehicles a day. There are knock-on effects all across the town.”
Adding to the woes of the planned roadworks, a host of emergency roadworks in the town – sometimes as many as three in a single day – are making matters worse.
SDC’s planning spokesperson Coun George Cowcher added: “I think we currently have a perfect storm of roadworks and improvement schemes. We also have a massive backlog of pothole filling.
“As much as £16billion needs to be spent nationally on filling potholes after so many years of cuts.”
Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Coun Manuela Perteghella is also unimpressed.
She said: “Last week we had works on Evesham Road, Alcester Road, Shottery, Shipston Road, Greenhill Street and Warwick Road at the same time.
“Traders are reporting quieter stores at the moment as shoppers look to Warwick, Evesham or Redditch to avoid the traffic queues. This is now impacting our local economy.
“The Luddington Road was refurbished after months of delays with the Bordon Hill roundabout works, only to be dug up again for gas works causing further disruption to residents. Why couldn’t these works be better planned? Who is taking charge of this?”
WCC announced a suspension of the Warwick Road works for the duration of the Easter holiday and the forthcoming Shakespeare Birthday weekend.
The Warwick Road works are expected to last up to six months.
A WCC spokesperson said a meeting was planned this week with officers and councillors from SDC to set out the programme of highways improvements in Stratford it is delivering over the coming months.
