THE county council has expressed its strong concerns to Highways England regarding traffic management proposals on the M5 due to the Oldbury Viaduct concrete repair scheme between Junctions 2 and 1.
From today (July 25), Highways England will reduce the M5 down to one lane northbound at the M5/M42 interchange in order to deter traffic from using the M5, hoping that northbound motorists will instead travel via the M42 to the M6.
A spokesperson for Worcestershire county council said: “Whilst the Council can understand the need to reduce northbound traffic on the M5 in response to the major construction works at J1, we feel it is imperative to keep traffic flowing at junction 4a (of the M5) to both encourage and enable diversion along the M42 and M6.
“If significant congestion occurs at J4a, traffic may leave the motorway earlier, missing this diversion possibility and saturating Worcestershire’s local roads, along with those of Sandwell and Birmingham.”
It means increased traffic could end up travelling through Redditch to reach the M42 and avoid the congestion.
Councillor Alan Amos, cabinet member for highways, added: “We were informed of this proposal very late in its development and we have made clear our severe reservations to Highways England.
“Clearly, we are concerned about the potential impact on our local roads and the disruption to residents and businesses. We are especially concerned for those in and around Bromsgrove who have been suffering for the last two years as a result of the smart motorway works.
“It is essential that an organisation like Highways England listens to the local highways authorities who are going to be most affected by its decisions.
“I am not satisfied that Highways England have given due weight to the very serious disruption that will occur by restricting the lanes down to one lane when it is clear from a highways perspective that traffic can be properly managed by leaving two lanes open.
“I am greatly disappointed that by imposing unnecessarily restrictive conditions, Highways England are just creating avoidable traffic delays and frustration.”
Highways England senior project manager, Zbigniew Twarowski, said: “We fully appreciate people’s frustrations and apologise to motorists and residents for the inconvenience.
“As the work takes place we need to balance the flow of traffic across the region in order to minimise wider disruption and that is why we’ve introduced these measures, which have been carefully planned.
“We continue to work with partner organisations and take on board comments that have been made. As a result we’re looking at increasing signage as well as how we manage traffic.
“We’re doing everything possible to minimise impact on local residents.
“All we can do is ask for people’s continued patience. Motorists are urged to plan journeys in advance, allow extra time and consider alternative modes of transport, car sharing or working from home where possible.”
