More road work chaos to begin next week in Stourbridge
A busy road in Stourbridge town centre will be completely blocked off to traffic from next week as essential work begins to replace a gas main.
The new project on Market Street comes just weeks after a busy repair scheme that took place on Stourbridge Ring Road back in June, which caused heavy delays for drivers.
Dudley Council has apologised for any inconvenience caused, but say the work "needs to be done".
Construction firm Balfour Beatty are planning to replace the gas main along Market Street starting this Monday.
It will mean Market Street is closed to traffic for almost four weeks. Some benches, bins and signs will be removed to allow traffic to run from High Street through Crown Square and into Coventry Street during the work.
A temporary pedestrian crossing will also be installed and a diversion route put in place along Coventry Street, St John’s Road, New Road, Bath Road and Bell Street.
Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for environmental, highways and street services, said: "We know there has been a lot of work going on to improve the roads in Stourbridge recently, and I know that this is another disruption for traders and residents.
"However Balfour Beatty are having to replace the gas mains in Stourbridge and this is work that needs to be done.
"I hope people will bear with Balfour Beatty while they carry out this important work, and we apologise for any inconvenience.”
Contractors have carried out a letter drop for local businesses to inform them about the changes to the road layout and the council has been working with market traders ahead of any disruption to the layout of stalls during the work.
Work is expected to be completed by August 16.
Meanwhile, Lower High Street will be closed overnight on July 12, 15 and 16 for resurfacing. The closures run from 7pm until 7am.
The repair scheme comes shortly after a major scheme on the Stourbridge Ring Road.
Lane closures and diversions were in place for a number of weeks throughout June as the road surface was ripped up and replaced.
Heavy traffic built up on a daily basis as frustrated motorists tried to navigate their way through the temporary system.
Stourbridge councillor Alan Hopwood said the work had been "necessary" to help improve the road surface and fix any potholes and wear and tear.
This latest roadworks scheme came as a pub landlord spoke of his anger at works which have hit trade in Gornal.
