MAJOR roadworks on the A435 in Studley have wreaked havoc on the village’s passing trade, infuriated commuters and led to fed-up residents ignoring road closed signs.
Locals in the village reported on Tuesday (March 1) some drivers travelling north from Alcester, are simply ignoring the road closed signs on the A435 and being forced to do U-turns – adding to the traffic chaos at Spernall where the A435 and Bromsgrove Road join.
Ross Watkins of John Williams Butchers said the roadworks were ‘clearly affecting business’ at the Alcester Road shop.
“There’s no doubt about it, if it wasn’t for a couple of regulars there would be no point in opening. It’s always the same, once there is a set of traffic lights it’s like the plague – everyone avoids the road.”
Fred Cetin of Fred’s Quality Fish Bar said he too had seen passing trade plummet while Mike Carter of PSW Paper and Print Ltd called the situation a nightmare.
He said: “We are totally reliant on passing trade and that has dramatically decreased.”
He added he understood the work was needed but said his biggest gripe is regarding the signage.
“In the weeks leading up to the work all of the signage said the road would be closed between 9.30am and 3.30pm but it isn’t re-opening after 3.30pm.”
Parish council chairman Councillor Paul Beaman said it had taken him 90 minutes to travel less than a mile in Studley.
The work is seeing long delays at the A441 Evesham Road roundabout in Redditch as a result of heavy traffic along the A448 Bromsgrove Road and The Slough.
The roadworks, for re-surfacing, are expected to finish by April 11 at the latest but road users and traders will be hoping they are completed long before then.
