Misery on roads

Sep 14 2007 By Neil Elkes, Birmingham Mail

BELEAGUERED city centre commuters are bracing themselves for more misery when further road-works start next week.

Council workers will be putting the road cones out along Birmingham's Suffolk Street Queensway from Sunday.

It comes only weeks after work finished on St Chad's Circus and Queensway, which brought misery earlier this year.

The latest work - scheduled to take seven weeks - will involve strengthening the bridge and replacing light columns.

The northbound carriageway that forms the slip roads off Suffolk Street Queensway between Holloway Circus and Paradise Circus will be reduced to one lane. Traffic using the slip road is expected to be affected but the main through road from Holloway underpass to the Queensway tunnel will be clear.

A council spokeswoman said: "To avoid delays at peak times, motorists are advised to stagger journeys or use alternative routes."

Drivers can expect further delays in the new year as this is the first phase of works to upgrade the parapet and lighting columns on the bridge.

The spokeswoman added: "This is designed to maintain our bridges in a safe condition, meet current standards and maintain structural integrity."

Meanwhile, night time road resurfacing work will be carried out at the nearby Holloway Circus, Holloway Head, Holliday Street and Navigation Street next week.

The workers will be on site between 8pm and 6am from Monday to Saturday and 7am to 4pm on Sunday from September 17 to 30.

Pedestrians will have full access to streets and properties while the road is closed.