'People are selling their homes because they can't take any more' - Stafford residents plagued by Beaconside roadworks

The A513 Beaconside near the Redhill roundabout is regularly gridlocked, not only affecting motorists travelling through the area but residents of the Parkside and Marston Grage estates.

The latest roadworks are part of planning obligations for Taylor Wimpey’s Marston Grange residential development and are being funded and managed by the developer, Staffordshire County Council’s website states.

The works include dualling of the A513 Beaconside, between Stone Road and Marston Lane, creation of a new signalised junction on the north side of the A513 and the signalisation of Newbold Drive. The existing A34 roundabout at the junction with A513 Beaconside and A34 from M6 roundabout at Creswell is being reconfigured to a signalised roundabout, and carriageway widening and installation of permanent traffic signals are also taking place.

Parkside resident Graham Mitchell said work in the area had taken more than eight years so far. “For their part Taylor Wimpey have ridden roughshod all over our communities and have treated us with total disdain throughout the duration of the works,” he added.

“The main arterial road that bisects Parkside and Marston Grange looks like it has been lifted from a warzone, with no planned maintenance having been carried out in over a decade, and as you can no doubt imagine this road is now in a total state of disrepair and has a huge detrimental effect on those whose homes back onto the road, who are affected on a daily basis by speeding vehicles hitting the myriad of potholes and other defects. Staffordshire County Council appear to have wiped their hands of the entire situation and have ceased all communication.”

Stafford MP Leigh Ingham hosted a meeting with residents of Marston Grange to hear their concerns. A second meeting was later arranged for Parkside residents, which was held at the Staffordshire Bull pub.

Claire Bruus, who chaired the meeting, said: “I think it is testament to the amount of feeling how many people are here – it’s fair to say there are many people disgruntled. We’re here with a mutual issue, due to the ongoing problems with the roadworks.

“We all knew this was going to affect us and there would be disruption. But there is no definite ending in sight and it’s affecting our everyday lives.

“People are selling their homes because they can’t take any more disruption. Someone has passed away waiting to sell their home, they were that desperate to leave.

“One of the issues we have got is changing of completion times. Originally it should have been finished by now, then it was put back to the summer and now it is autumn or the end of 2025.

“Now I have heard it could be 2026 and we need somebody to look into that as I am not convinced. Whenever you look at the roadworks you rarely see people doing anything.”

She asked why no-one had been held accountable for how long the issues had been going on. Small business owner Lisa Lawrence also questioned accountability as she told the meeting how she had been affected.

She said: “I have had to wait an hour for a customer stuck in traffic. It affects me if my customers are late – everything is late.

“They get fed up and say ‘we’re not coming again’. It affects how professional I look but it’s not my fault.”

Nick Shaw, Leigh Ingham’s office manager, attended the meeting on her behalf as she was unable to be present. He took down details of residents’ issues.

He said: “I’m a Stafford resident myself and I know full well the impact – I live at the top of Radford Bank, although we certainly haven’t had the experience for the length of time you have had.

“I’m very aware of this, as is Leigh. We are doing all we can to support you and continue to raise the issue to get some action taken.”

Speaking after the Parkside meeting, Ms Ingham said residents were being treated appallingly. “There is no communication with residents”, she added.

“Roadworks are going on and residents are not being told when roads are being closed. They find stuff out by going to talk to the workmen.

“The last we heard this was due to end this November but no-one has any faith in that. Economically, this is grinding Stafford to a halt.”

Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for strategic highways Peter Mason said: “As a new administration, we are well aware that the ongoing works at Beaconside being carried out by Taylor Wimpey as part of its Marston Grange development are causing considerable disruption. As this scheme is wholly developer-led the county council has minimal influence or control on the works or their progress.

“However we will maintain regular contact with Taylor Wimpey and continue to press them to conclude as quickly as possible. All updates on the scheme are provided by Taylor Wimpey.”

A Taylor Wimpey spokesperson said: “We understand the frustrations of the local community whilst we carry out the programme of works for the highway improvement project at the A513 Beaconside. Whilst these improvements are aimed at reducing journey times, easing congestion and improving safety for residents and road users, we acknowledge that there have been some unexpected delays which have impacted the local community.

“We recognise the need for clearer communication, and would like to apologise for any inconvenience or confusion caused. We are committed to keeping disruption to a minimum, and are working closely with stakeholders to ensure all works are completed by the end of November.”