Motorists braced for long delays

Buy photos » Ombersley Road is closed to traffic coming into the city for five weeks. 0513017MMR.

MOTORISTS were today (Monday) facing the start of five weeks of congestion misery prompted by the closure of a busy main route into the city.

Severn Trent Water has started a major project to relieve the threat of sewer flooding which affects residents on Barbourne Road and Sunnyside Road.

But it has meant the southbound lane of the Omberlsey Road being closed, while temporary lights have also been installed on the A38 Barbourne Road opposite Gheluvelt Park.

The traffic lights at the Old Toll House have been turned off meaning a diversion for Ombersley Road city-bound traffic across to the A38 Droitwich Road prior to the junction itself.

The advised diversion route for traffic coming from out-of-town/Kidderminster is via the northern bypass and Fernhill Heath.

For Northwick traffic the signed diversion is via Checketts Lane.

Frank Thompson, area manager at Severn Trent Water, said: “During times of heavy rainfall, residents of Barbourne Road and Sunnyside Road are affected by sewer flooding. It is important that we take action to prevent this from happening by installing brand new sewer pipes and a small pumping station to deal with excess storm water in the sewer system.

“We recognise that while we work to carry out these essential improvements there may be some disruption. We’ve worked closely with Worcestershire County Council to try to minimise congestion and we’ve taken onboard feedback from the local community in our plans."

“Our contractors, Morgan Sindall, will be carrying out the work on our behalf. To complete this work safely and quickly, we will need to close Sunnyside Road. We will also install traffic lights on Barbourne Road while we complete work there. The southbound lane of the Ombersley Road – at the junction with Droitwich Road – will also be closed from February 17 for five weeks, to try to minimise congestion.”

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