Roadworks ‘tampered with’ as traffic lights moved to let cars on ‘wet tarmac’

Council leaders say they are 'lost for words' after seeing a set of traffic lights shifted and a barrier moved to let vehicles drive on wet tarmac. Works had been carried out on the busy Chell Street in Birches Head ^[1] where cones, barriers and temporary lights had been set up.

But officials found someone had messed with the set up with the traffic lights moved and a barrier shifted which ultimately let vehicles travel over the newly-laid surface. Now Stoke-on-Trent City Council ^[2] say there's a danger the works will have to be carried out again - meaning more temporary lights along with a bill for the tax payer.

The local authority says the works - at the junction with Northam Road - had been completed on December 5 following 'flood-risk preventative measures being put in place.' A traffic management system was set up to allow the newly-laid tarmac and drainage system chance to set.

READ: Two in Royal Stoke with 'serious injuries' as smash shuts off A50 | Emergency services were called to the scene between Blythe Bridge and Uttoxeter ^[3]

READ: Drivers beware as Potteries Way fitted with new speed cameras | Staffordshire Police have upgraded the speed cameras on Potteries Way ^[4]

But between 3pm and 7pm on that day the setup was 'tampered with' which saw traffic allowed to come through with a barrier moved and temporary lights shifted. The council say the measures were due to be in place until 6am the following morning.

Councillor Amjid Wazir, cabinet member for city pride, enforcement and sustainability advised: “I am at a loss for words as to how and why a member of the public would remove the safety measures in place, that are there to not only protect all highway users but the workforce and the completed works.

“Important drainage fixes had taken place over a week, to help reduce and stop any risk of flooding on that route. We won’t know the extent of the damage to the area until the next heavy downpour, where we will have no choice but to redo the works, ultimately closing the road again, at a cost to the tax-payer. This, at a time of such intense pressures on the public purse is infuriating.”

“I cannot stress how irresponsible it was to remove the safety features before the road was set and we are incredibly thankful that no one was injured.”

Officials say that CCTV in the area is now being scrutinised in an effort to track down those responsible.

References

^{^} Birches Head (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^{^} Stoke-on-Trent City Council (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^{^} Two in Royal Stoke with 'serious injuries' as smash shuts off A50 | Emergency services were called to the scene between Blythe Bridge and Uttoxeter (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^{^} Drivers beware as Potteries Way fitted with new speed cameras | Staffordshire Police have upgraded the speed cameras on Potteries Way (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^{^} Sign up to our main daily newsletter here and get all the latest news straight to your inbox for FREE (data.reachplc.com)