TRAFFIC in Bromsgrove could be snarled up this weekend while contractors rip up and relay a £50,000 road surface just days after it was put down -- because it wouldn't stick in the rain.

Drivers stranded in large tailbacks fumed last weekend while the Highways Agency carried out work to strengthen and resurface Birmingham Road between the Mount School and the M42 roundabout at Lickey End.

Because contractors laying down the new noise reducing material were working so close to passing traffic "convoy working" was put into place. This involves a vehicle slowly leading traffic through a single lane while work is carried out on the other carriageway.

Although the work was carried out during "off peak hours" -- from 9.30pm until 6am and all day Sunday -- it still caused tailbacks with people waiting up to 15 minutes.

An agency spokeswoman told the Advertiser/Messenger the road was resurfaced on Sunday but due to the wet weather it did not stick properly.

She added: "It's a mess and we must pull it up and do it again."

A meeting with police and Bromsgrove District Council to finalise details was due to take place this morning.

The repeat work will take place this weekend but set times have yet to be finalised.

A diversion through Catshill, for light vehicles, looks set to be put into place alongside the convoy system in a bid to avoid last weekend's tailbacks.

Resurfacing work is this week also taking place on Birmingham Road between Marlgrove Total Service Station and the junction of Hazelton Road. It is due to be complete by Friday.

Agency project manager Bob Bilbie said: "We are carrying out this work overnight, at the weekend, or during off-peak hours in order to ensure minimum disruption to the travelling public."