A VILLAGE is facing 12 weeks of traffic chaos disruption caused by road closures and rolling road blocks for major gas works.

The essential gas works in Martley Road, Lower Broadheath begins from January next year, although some residents said they had not received any letter about it.

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Work is set to begin on January 4 next year and last for close to three months until March 27.

Independent Broadheath Malvern Hills district councillor Daniel Walton wrote on his Facebook page on Sunday: "The constant closures are bad enough. The not knowing what is going on is worse but I'll get to the bottom of it."

He also said: "Road closures keep happening that I'm not being notified about."

According to a letter sent out to residents, the first rolling road closure will be from opposite the first entrance of Elizabeth the Chef to the junction of Lovington Lane, the second along Martley Road from the junction of Lovington Lane to the junction of Bell Lane.

A public meeting, described as an 'information session', took place in the village hall on Tuesday to discuss the plans by Express Utilities.

The letter, explaining the closures, was shared on a Facebook group.

However, one resident said: "I've just phoned Express Utilities because, needless to say, we still haven't received a letter."

Her concern was that the work would leave Lower Broadheath 'completely cut off from Worcester' and that the disruption follows six weeks of disruptive roadworks over the summer.

The letter from Express was sent out on December 7, less than a week before the meeting which took place between 12.30pm and 6.30pm on Tuesday, December 13.

It said: "Express Utilities will be carrying out essential multi-utility infrastructure works. Whilst the works are underway it will be necessary to apply temporary road closures to ensure the safety of the public and our operatives.

"We understand this is short notice, however, there are no alternative or available venues in time.

"Access to affected properties within the closures will be maintained and accessible. We will endeavour to keep the duration of our works to minimal disruption by minimising the rolling road closures where possible to no longer than 300 metres at a time. We appreciate your patience and co-operation and apologise in advance for any inconvenience."

The Bell and Elisabeth the Chef were contacted for a reaction but had not responded by the time we went to press.

Worcestershire County Council and Express were also contacted for more information about the potential disruption. 

Operations director Matthew Ross said: "These works are required to provide essential gas supplies into a new housing development in the area.

"As part of our planning for these works, we consulted with key stakeholders including the local authorities and residents to explain our plans.  All residents will be given an opportunity to raise questions at a public information session on December 13.

"We appreciate that working in the public highway can be an inconvenience to road users and members of the public. We always look to ensure residents are kept informed and to minimise disruption where possible. We apologise for any disruption or inconvenience our essential gas supply works may cause."