Roadworks cause havoc as Spon End businesses say it's killed their trade

[dutchman]

Had a letter from the council stating that access to the "Butts Road" (it's actually the Butts Radial Spur) from Junction 7 (of the Ring Road) will be closed between 8.00pm and 6.00am from Monday 16th to Friday 20th.

It goes on to say "Butts Road" will also be closed in both directions between Junction 7 and Albany Road from 8.00pm Monday 23rd to 6.00am Tuesday 24th January.

As this is the council you should take all times and dates with a pinch of salt.

[dutchman]

Coventry city centre roadworks to continue until June



Major roadworks that have been in place for several months are set to continue until June.

Roads in Spon End, Coventry are being widened in efforts to improve traffic flow and ease congestion.

Coventry City Council said the roadworks were initially planned to be completed by April but had hit some delays.

Gerry Raleigh, programme manager, Transport and Infrastructure, said the measures held long-term benefits.

"The alternative which was the governments preferred option was a clean air zone, otherwise known as a charging zone," he said.

"To put that in context, for Coventry, it would have covered 82,000 residents and the charge would have been eight pounds per day," he explained.

Mr Raleigh said there would likely be a phased opening on some roads within the coming months.

"It is short term and is going to be for another five months.

"When the works are complete, the congestion will be far less and the traffic will be flow better than it did before," he added.

[rebbonk]

"When the works are complete, the congestion will be far less and the traffic will be flow better than it did before," he added.

That remains to be seen.

[dutchman]

[The letter from the council] goes on to say "Butts Road" will also be closed in both directions between Junction 7 and Albany Road from 8.00pm Monday 23rd to 6.00am Tuesday 24th January.

It's still open in both directions as far as I can see!

[dutchman]

Eastbound lane totally closed between Hearsall Lane and Ring Road this evening.

Businesses are still open but it's pointless since no one can reach them.

Nor can they claim compensation as they're not officially closed.

[dutchman]

End in sight for major Coventry roadworks after delays



A new slip-road will open in Coventry next week as major roadworks in the south-west of the city start coming to an end after lengthy delays. The slip-road off the Ring Road towards the Butts will open from the morning of Monday, May 22, a council spokesperson said.

Works at Spon End and the Butts, including 24-hour lights and lane closures, are set to finish at the end of July, the council said. The projects were launched in a bid to avoid a clean air zone being imposed in Coventry.

Such a step could lead to charging zones for motorists driving in certain parts of the city. The work that is being carried out aims to reduce air pollution in hotspots including Holyhead Road.

The changes include road widening to remove a pinch point in Spon End and a remodelling of junction 7 where the roundabout and car park will be removed. But the works in Spon End have caused havoc for local businesses and residents who saw their trade hit and feared for their homes.

The scheme, originally set to finish in April 2023, was hit with delays due to problems acquiring the Black Horse pub, as well as issues with utilities leading to a redesign. Its June end date has been delayed further to the end of July because of a need for more water and gas work, the council said.

The council's new highways programme put the finish date for both roadworks as October 2023 - but this appears to be a precaution in case anything unexpected happens. Other phases of the air quality scheme are set to open in the coming weeks.

This includes Upper Spon Street which will get a new shared cycleway and footpath, and be open from the end of June. Croft Road - the other side of junction 7 to the Butts - also has 24-hour lights and lane closures. Work there will be completed in mid-August, according to the highways programme.

All of these dates are subject to change, the programme states. Asked about the Spon End and Butts Road schemes, a council spokesperson said: "The current completion date is set for the end of July – although phases will be open before then – including the new slip road off the Ring Road towards the Butts. This will open from the morning of 22 May.

"We plan to lay the final surfacing in the Spon End between 3 July and 8 July with the lining and traffic lights completed just after that. The reason for the delay – from the previously advised June to July finish – was due to the need for additional utility work by Cadent Gas and Severn and Trent Water.

"The work is part of our aim to improve air quality in the city and we would like to thank people for their patience."

[dutchman]

In other words "It'll be finished when it's finished."

[dutchman]

Outbound lane is closed and inbound lane is jammed solid this evening! One fire engine had to divert via Albany Road.

Council neglected to signpost diversions caused by Motofest apparently?

[rebbonk]

Council neglected to signpost diversions caused by Motofest apparently?

Just how much are we paying these incompetent oafs?

[dutchman]

According to Balfour-Beatty it's closed again Monday-Thursday between 8.00pm and 6.00am, although they have been wrong in the past.

[Time corrected: DM]