COUNCILLORS and residents have voiced frustration roadworks are returning to a junction, after more than a year of disruption.

Permanent traffic lights were finally switched on at the A38 Copcut, while Pulley Lane and Copcut Lane became fully open in September, with residents hoping that had brought to an end a saga that lasted over a year.

But it has now emerged, according to Bowbrook councillor Tony Miller, that the area has still has not been adopted by Worcestershire County Council as there remains work to complete.

New roadworks are taking place this week, between January 27 and January 29, which are described as remedial works to access Severn Trent assets. During that work, Pulley Lane will be closed with a left turn in and out of Copcut Lane only.

And Copcut Lane and Pulley Lane have been booked for roadworks between March 11 and March 22, for what is understood to be resurfacing and carriageway maintenance work.

Cllr Miller said: "Tree planting will also be taking place in March, and that should be the conclusion of the work.

"After that point then it will be reassessed by Worcestershire County Council, and if it is to the adoptable standard it should be adopted.

"The roadworks (this week) are because they have got to put some manholes in. It is frustrating."

Richard Morris, county councillor for Droitwich West, said a number of residents have complained to him about the roadworks throughout the saga.

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Cllr Morris said: "I am not happy to see more work and closure so soon after works completed and this will be part of the scrutiny work I have tabled to ensure lessons are learned.

"I appreciate work has to be done. But I want to look at (the background) in scrutiny - why there has been the stop, start of the work."

After hearing the news some residents wrote on social media then the roadworks returning was a "farce and disgrace", some adding "here we go again".

Worcestershire County Council's highways boss John Fraser said: "The two days this week are for remedial work to expose Severn Trent assets.

"The March roadworks, the 11 days are just a window - the road is booked, it doesn't mean it will take 11 days.

"It will probably taken a couple of days, maybe night works, in that given period.

"Residents there have put up with a lot."

The lights first went up on the section of the busy road back in April 2019, and at various points drivers had to suffer long waits as traffic was held to allow only one side to pass through at a time.

Throughout the roadworks were described as a “nightmare” by frustrated motorists, traders and residents, and a spokesman for the Copcut Elm pub, that situated right next to where the roadworks were, said their trade had been hit.