A Stafford Councillor has today criticised Transco for failing to notify Stafford residents of major road works, which he claims will bring grid lock to part of the town's road system.

Staffordshire County Councillor, Barry Stamp, said he was appalled to hear that the Newport Road in Stafford, from its junction with West Way to the Castlefields roundabout, is to be made one way from Monday, despite no information being given to local residents or road users.

"I have today been told that Transco intend to close the road to all Stafford bound traffic after Monday morning's rush hour to allow a new gas main to be installed. This work will last for at least six weeks, during which time eastbound traffic will be diverted along West Way and the Wolverhampton Road. I am appalled that, with only four days until the work starts, no publicity has been given to this scheme, nor have local Councillors or residents been consulted. To suggest that traffic heading towards the town will be diverted along West Way is a farce. This road cuts through a densely populated housing estate which, because of the large number of children who live there, is subject to a 20mph speed restriction. The estate also has a weight restriction which will have to be ignored by heavy goods vehicles. When road closures of this size take place at other sites large notices are displayed warning of the works weeks before they take place. I predict that this scheme will bring grid-lock to this part of Stafford, with motorists trying to find alternative rat-runs around the problem. Residents from Gnosall, Haughton, and Church Eaton will have their journeys disrupted, while those living on the Highfields estate will have to face added road dangers, noise and pollution. I will be contacting the police, the County Council, and Transco to see if any alternative can be found. At the very least work should be postponed until full consultation and publicity has taken place," said Cllr Stamp.