WORCESTERSHIRE County Council has accused Highways England of creating 'avoidable traffic delays and frustration' in Bromsgrove with its latest round of M5 roadworks.

From today (July 24), the motorway at the M5/M42 interchange will be reduced down to one lane to divert motorists onto the M42 while concrete repairs are carried out at Oldbury viaduct.

Bromsgrove District Council leader Geoff Denaro and West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion have already expressed serious concerns over the plans, which will cause yet more misery on the district's gridlocked roads as drivers are diverted an extra 20 miles via the M42.

Now Worcestershire council cabinet member for highways Alan Amos has spoken out against the £100million scheme's lane restrictions, which he says will 'saturate' the county's road network.

Cllr Amos said: "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 organization like Highways England listens to the local highways authorities who are going to be most affected by Highways England's 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."

Instead, the council believes it 'imperative' to keep traffic flowing at J4a, to avoid traffic leaving the motorway too early and missing the diversion onto the M6.

The roadworks are not expected to end until the autumn of 2018, with minor works continuing into springtime 2019.

Defending the restrictions, 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.”