Traffic Nightmares in Birches Head: Did Severn Trent Really Listen?
It seems the frustration is palpable in Birches Head as residents and motorists are caught in a web of bumper-to-bumper traffic, all thanks to roadworks that a local MP claims were pushed through despite his warnings. This isn't just a minor inconvenience; it's a daily struggle that has left many wondering if their voices are being heard.
Gareth Snell, the Member of Parliament for Stoke-on-Trent Central, has voiced his strong assertion that Severn Trent Water completely ignored his pleas to reschedule crucial roadworks. He insists he urged the utility company to reconsider the timing of their extensive project, which aims to lay 24 miles of new pipes across several areas including Burslem, Smallthorne, Tunstall, Birches Head, Sneyd Green, and Hanley. This ambitious £25 million project is vital for the region's water network, but its execution has clearly hit a snag.
But here's where it gets controversial... Snell claims his requests to delay the side street works until the main road closures (Town Road/Chell Street/Hanley Road) were completed and reopened fell on deaf ears. The result? Families are now facing chronic congestion on Birches Head Road, Woodward Street, and Barthomley Road, compounded by the closure of Kelvin Avenue. This has led the MP to demand an 'urgent review' of the current and future plans.
In a statement to StokeonTrentLive, Mr. Snell expressed his awareness of the "chaos" caused by the recent closures on Barthomley Road, Chorlton Road, Northam Road, and Woodward Street. He elaborated on his prior meeting with senior Severn Trent representatives, where he specifically asked them to hold off on commencing works in the smaller streets before the main thoroughfares were fully accessible again. "Severn Trent Water decided to press ahead with their plans regardless, and residents and motorists are now facing the consequences," he stated.
His follow-up letter to Severn Trent Water is a clear call to action, requesting an urgent re-evaluation of road closure plans and a specific plea to install traffic lights at the Northam Road/Hanley Road junction. He also reiterated his request to refrain from starting any more side street works until the primary roads are completely clear.
And this is the part most people miss... The situation has been further complicated by Severn Trent's cancellation of two scheduled drop-in sessions for January 22nd and January 29th. Mr. Snell voiced his frustration, noting that with the current gridlock, it's "incredibly disappointing" that the company is no longer making themselves available to the public. He also highlighted a discrepancy, mentioning a post suggesting Severn Trent was engaging with him, yet he had received no correspondence regarding the issues he'd raised.
Severn Trent, in their defense, stated they were reviewing their roadworks and looking into clearer signage and on-site measures to improve traffic flow. A spokesperson acknowledged the challenges for residents and emphasized that the works are part of a significant £25 million investment for the water network's resilience. They also mentioned that all traffic management plans were agreed upon in advance and that they are collaborating with the council to assess and enhance current operations. Safety, they added, remains a top priority, and they are asking motorists to exercise extra caution and follow diversion routes.
While Severn Trent assures they are listening and working with local partners, the ongoing disruption and the MP's strong stance raise a critical question: When essential infrastructure work clashes with daily life, who truly bears the brunt, and are the voices of the community being adequately considered? What are your thoughts on this situation? Do you believe Severn Trent has done enough to mitigate the impact of their roadworks? Let us know in the comments below!
