No end in sight for landslide roadworks

There remains no end in sight before repairs to a rural road damaged by a landslide are completed, highways bosses have warned.

Repair work has been taking place in Hinksford Lane, near Swindon, in South Staffordshire, since December.

Surveying work to find the source of water, which has led to cracks in the road, is currently taking place and, due to the ‘complex’ nature of the work, it means highways bosses do not know when they will be finished.

The project has forced a permanent lane closure, with temporary traffic lights put in place.

However, while some motorists have been annoyed at the disruption to their route, villagers have been delighted with the impact it has had on the levels of traffic.

Community leaders in Swindon claim the route has long been used as a rat run for motorists trying to avoid the busy Wolverhampton Road.

Helen Fisher, cabinet support member for highways and transport at Staffordshire County Council, said: “Whilst traffic lights have been in operation for safety reasons, we have also had to close the road for some short periods of time for ground investigations to take place.

“Our highways engineers are carrying out a number of surveys and, once an appropriate solution is identified, the work will be scheduled in.

“This has been a complex issue due to the nature of the landslip and we would hope to get the work completed as soon as possible.”

Swindon Parish Council chairman Councillor Richard Painter said the three-day road closure had cut traffic in his village.

He said: “When the road was closed, the villagers did comment on the lack of through traffic and the fact it improved the quality of life.

“This work is necessary to ensure the safety of the highway and avoid any future erosion.

“Over 20 years ago the road had to be closed completely due to a landslide.”

But the repair and investigative work has not been welcomed by everyone.

Retired prison governor Michael Kelly, 70, from Shirley, in Solihull uses the road when travelling to a greyhound trainer off Church Road, north of the village.

He comes from Stourbridge, travelling on Hinksford Lane before entering the village.

He said: “This work has been going on forever.

“It is on a dangerous stretch of road, especially for cyclists who use the route.

“I can’t understand how it is taking so long.”