Roadworks are driving customers out of town (From Evesham Journal)

Roadworks are driving customers out of town

8:03am Thursday 21st June 2012 in News By Sarah Taylor

A VALE man says he will avoid trips to Evesham after a day of chaos on the roads left him worried for how the town will cope during the Abbey Bridge closure.

Tim Yarrow, who lives in Charlton, said he would be trying to stay away from the town centre from now on and voiced concerns that things would only get worse next year when the bridge is closed for 10 weeks to allow it to be replaced.

He said his wife’s trip into town on Monday took about three times as long as it normally would. “It is chaotic.

My wife was held up at the A44 roadworks for about 25 minutes before going into Evesham town.

“She then came back into Hampton but when she tried to come across the bridge she got stuck there as well.

“As she tried to turn right the traffic just wasn’t moving and she sat there watching the lights change about 10 times.

“Because the traffic lights on Pershore Road are not letting enough cars through,people were trying to squeeze through when they weren’t supposed to.”

Three sets of road works around the town, on the A44, Pershore Road in Hampton and Cheltenham Road are thought to have caused the backlog on Monday.

A number of disgruntled motorists contacted the Journal to voice their displeasure at the hold-ups which left traffic backed-up at the main entrances to the town.

“The road situation will kill off the trade in the town,”

said Mr Yarrow.

“It makes me wonder how the traders are going to do anything when the bridge is closed.”

The planned work on the bridge is set to start this October but full closure of the road will only last for 10 weeks between July and September next year. An alternative route for traffic has not yet been announced.

Jon Fraser, Worcestershire County Council's Customer and Community Manager, said: "As with all works of this type, we liaise with agencies, including utility companies and developers, to ensure they are carried out as efficiently as possible to minimise disruption to motorists and pedestrians.

"Thank you to residents in Evesham, we appreciate your patience during these road improvements."

More roadworks are due to start near Evesham on Monday as the Highways Agency begins work on the A46 in both directions between Ashton- under-Hill and Beckford which is due to be completed next month.