Controversial St John's roadworks in Worcester to resume this week

The St John’s roadworks, which have been widely criticised over the last few months, got back underway on January 4 as phase two of the scheme begins.

As a result, there will be no entry to the A44 St John’s, which will be closed westbound with a diversion in place.

St John’s councillor Richard Udall has repeatedly spoken out over the scheme, which he says has caused “misery” for residents.

He said: “Unfortunately the nightmare continues.We have already had six months of disruption, chaos and traffic diversions.  

“We will now have at least another three months of the same problems.  

“People are frustrated, they see little work taking place and they don’t believe it will improve the situation.  

“They are angry about what they feel is wasted public money on a project which has disrupted their lives and businesses for little or no benefit.  

“The changes were imposed onto St John’s, it’s a pity that the Council intend to continue to press ahead and will continue to ignore the feelings, wishes and views of local residents and businesses, they continue to believe that County Hall knows best.”

The works for 2021 include improving the Bromyard Road and St John’s traffic signal junction, with controls being changed to increase efficiency.

Also included are improved pedestrian crossing, improved road markings and roadside drainage and kerbing.

The road will also be widened for two lanes up to the Bromyard Road junction, with the traffic island being removed.

Phase two of the work is expected to last until March 2021, including the removal of the old A44 traffic island just west of the Henwick Road junction to allow the area to have two continuous lanes of traffic travelling towards the west.

Another plan is for the removal of the narrowing pinch point as traffic travels from New Rd/Bromwich Rd into St John’s where the kerbing/footway can be altered to allow two side-by-side lanes to continue up the hill and through the area.