Stafford Traffic.

Mikinton

Well-Known Forumite
Is anyone aware of any overnight closures on the J13 sliproads this weekend , or full M6 closures through the area ?( Can't see actual closures mentioned for tonight on Highways England, just 'disruption' mentioned ). Hoping to get on southbound 5am-ish tomorrow morning....
I don't know if you're still interested, but coming north from Birmingham, the M6 was closed last night from J10 (Walsall / Willenhall). It started backing up just after the turn-off for the M5 and probably took me a little under an hour and a half to get back to Baswich from there. (10:35 to midnight). I'd have been a bit quicker if I'd not been stuck in the slow lane at the time, having two lanes on both sides merging in, and if I'd come back via Walsall instead of Wolverhampton (at that time of night, I wasn't going to mess around with unfamiliar roads).
 

staffordjas

Well-Known Forumite
I don't know if you're still interested, but coming north from Birmingham, the M6 was closed last night from J10 (Walsall / Willenhall). It started backing up just after the turn-off for the M5 and probably took me a little under an hour and a half to get back to Baswich from there. (10:35 to midnight). I'd have been a bit quicker if I'd not been stuck in the slow lane at the time, having two lanes on both sides merging in, and if I'd come back via Walsall instead of Wolverhampton (at that time of night, I wasn't going to mess around with unfamiliar roads).
Thanks for that. Will be aware for next time I'm coming back late from Worcester.
Hubbys coach was stuck for ages trying to get onto the M6 from the M5 around that time on Tuesday night , but the M6 wasn't actually closed around that area then. Maybe was starting coning it off as they were approaching .
(Last time I was diverted off and came through Walsall I thought I knew the way , as many moons ago I used to drive to Wednesbury most nights for years that way. Ended up getting lost as the straight on way I used to go down the main road to Bloxwich was a no entry. )
 

Thehooperman

Well-Known Forumite
Massive queues trailing back as far as Halfords from the northern McDonald's entrance.

Looked like there were similar queues from the Eccleshall Road direction as well.

Big Mac panic buying by the looks of it.
 
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littleme

250,000th poster!
Massive queues trailing back as far as Halfords from the northern McDonald's entrance.

Looked like there were similar queues from me Eccleshall Road direction as well.

Big Mac panic buying by the looks of it.
Oh my! Is that what that was? I thought there was a motorway problem. Why are people so stupid & uncaring?!
 

Thehooperman

Well-Known Forumite
Oh my! Is that what that was? I thought there was a motorway problem. Why are people so stupid & uncaring?!

I think it was Maccies' customers because there were other cars undertaking the queue by the McDonald's entrance.

I wonder if it is possible to freeze a Big Mac and fries? You could make a fortune :)
 

littleme

250,000th poster!
I think it was Maccies' customers because there were other cars undertaking the queue by the McDonald's entrance.

I wonder if it is possible to freeze a Big Mac and fries? You could make a fortune :)
No, thanks! As I've got older I dislike maccies more & more, KFC sticky chicken is another matter all together - why won't they make it all year round!? Nom nom nom...
 

littleme

250,000th poster!
It appears to be closed northbound between 13 and 14.

ETA, that's according to Google.

Waze seems to think the delay is southbound.
Yeah, Google told me it's closed till 28th march but that didn't sound believable, I can hear a huge amount of traffic on the a34
 

joshua

Well-Known Forumite
Cllr Carolyn Trowbridge


Carolyn Trowbridge
I have been asked for an Update: Highways

Introduction
During these unprecedented times it is important that our road network remains safe and accessible so that other key workers, emergency services, medical supplies and goods can get to where they need to be. In line with government advice our highways teams are continuing to carry out road repairs and improvements across the county. That means fixing potholes and carrying out other maintenance tasks where they can. Crews will also be continuing to work on new construction schemes where workforce and supplies allow to help protect the economy during the pandemic.

Status of our key operational activities at 2/4/2020 – AMBER
Pothole repairs and other reactive maintenance activity - continues to be progressed in order of risk priority
Gully cleansing and other routine operations - continuing as programmed
Surface Dressing – 20/21 programme scheduled to start towards the end of April. Method statements are being reviewed to enable social distancing.
Local Improvement Schemes – currently continuing but with expected delays due to impact on public consultation events
Major construction sites - currently continuing as programmed e.g. Stafford Western Access Route, Lichfield Southern Bypass, i54 and the MGOV.
Streetlighting - currently operating as usual
Traffic Signal Systems - currently operating as usual
School Crossing Patrols – majority stood-down from 23/3/2020 with isolated exceptions at high-risk sites and where attendant is not in high-risk group. Those remaining at home receiving ongoing welfare checks.
Parking – Civil Parking Enforcement is suspended. Police enforcement continues.
Bus Lanes / Safety Cameras – enforcement continues as usual.

Resource capacity
At this time absenteeism levels across the highway team remain low, with only a small number of people experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and/or in self-isolation. This situation is being closely monitored on a daily basis. Resources will be reallocated to priority activities as necessary.

The government issued clarity about the vital role of the construction sector late last week. This has been distributed through our supply-chain (e.g. material suppliers and builder’s merchants) with positive effect.

26 members of the Highways and Built County team have positively responded to the Council’s internal “I Count” campaign – volunteering to assist with critical social care activities throughout the COVID-19 crisis. Wherever possible we will support this effort, which may result in a reduced highway service for the corresponding period of time.

Health and Safety
Safety is our number 1 priority. In line with government advice all staff are working from home wherever possible. This includes our own staff, our first-tier providers like Amey and EoN, and their supply-chains. Operatives are travelling to site in separate vehicles and receiving regular reminders on safe working, hand hygiene and social distancing.

Meetings with Members (including DHP) and other stakeholders will be conducted by phone / skype as necessary. All public consultation events, along with road safety education and training activities, have been cancelled and will be rescheduled or redesigned to enable social distancing.

Hope this helps - Stay safe xx
 

Thehooperman

Well-Known Forumite
During these unprecedented times it is important that our road network remains safe and accessible so that other key workers, emergency services, medical supplies and goods can get to where they need to be. In line with government advice our highways teams are continuing to carry out road repairs and improvements across the county. That means fixing potholes and carrying out other maintenance tasks where they can.

So that's why I had a tarmac lorry sat outside my house for an hour with its engine running when I was trying to listen to a conference call last week?

I would have thought that there would be far higher priority potholes to fix rather than on a small cul-de-sac on an estate.

Surely the workers would be safer than usual if they worked on the main road potholes whilst there's less traffic at the moment.
 

c0tt0nt0p

Well-Known Forumite
I've just had a ride around the Hough retail park with the little one and was truly staggered how many flogs rocked up expecting home bargains, b&q and Argos to be open...

It doesn't given you much hope in our current predicament....
 
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