Posted on Tuesday 10th December 2024
Ann Edgeller at the Weeping Cross roundabouts junction
A major Stafford road and transport improvement scheme reaches a significant milestone next week – with two-way traffic set to return to a key route.
The scheme on the A34 from Weeping Cross towards the town centre got under way in the summer. It will see improvements from the Weeping Cross roundabouts to the Queensville island and then to Queensway near the town centre next year. Surfacing of both Weeping Cross roundabouts and vital strengthening of both Radford Bridge and Queensville rail bridge was completed recently.
Included in the scheme are road and footway resurfacing, new pedestrian crossings and cycleways and bridge maintenance.
For work to be carried out safely, a one-way traffic operation was needed on the Radford Bank stretch towards town, with a one-way operation towards Baswich on Baswich Lane.
Both will be lifted this Monday December 16. Surfacing of Radford Bank will take place next spring when the weather conditions will help to make the surfacing more durable. This will be done with a series of overnight closures of Radford Bank and part of Queensville. In January work will begin on Queensville roundabout, which will involve narrowing of lanes.
Local county councillor Ann Edgeller said the scheme is much-needed, but understood frustrations with disruption.
She added:
The teams have done a fantastic job and this included working efficiently overnight on the Weeping Cross roundabouts.
This is such an important scheme for the area and for Stafford and so we are so pleased to see it under way with the end in sight next spring. I understand that it has been disruptive so would like to thank people for their patience. The feedback I’ve had has been overwhelmingly positive, including from residents of Queensville who have been very complementary about the project teams.
While there will be traffic management still in place, return to two-way traffic on Radford Bank is a significant milestone for the scheme.”
Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for strategic highways Mark Deaville said:
This is a huge road and transport improvement project for Stafford and will bring lasting benefits for decades to come.
It is a complex and carefully planned scheme and part of the wider package of improvements which have taken place across Stafford. It has included significant strengthening and maintenance work of the two bridges which is vital to the scheme as they carry a significant volume of traffic. The scheme continues to progress well, and we look forward to its completion next year.”
Work needs to take place now due to national funding requirements. Once completed the road surface will last for between 20 and 30 years.