ROADWORKS are ‘paralysing’ Leamington says MP Matt Western.
The Warwick and Leamington MP raised concerns in parliament over a series of construction works affecting several major roads through the town.
The works include improvements to two Network Rail-owned bridges in Princes Drive and Rugby Road, as well as works in relation to a new development in Gallows Hill.
The Princes Drive bridge is receiving an artistic facelift ahead of the Commonwealth Games in summer – some of which are being hosted by the town.
An effective one-way system has been in place since mid-January due to a lane closure and diversion on the road.
It has resulted in gridlocked traffic which, at times, stretches all the way up to the town centre and into neighbouring Warwick.
And they will be followed by more disruptive repairs and diversions in the town scheduled in April.
Mr Western has received floods of emails about the ‘nightmare’ drivers and businesses are facing.
In a question to transport minister Trudy Harrison MP in the House of Commons, he said: “For over two months Warwick and Leamington has been literally gridlocked.
“Drivers are fuming. Businesses have lost between 25 and 75 per cent of their business.
“Ahead of the Commonwealth Games and additional works being done to our towns, would the minister agree to meet with me to ensure there is no repeat of this event?”
The minister said she would ‘look into’ the matter and write to Mr Western.
The MP wrote in a Facebook post: “Warwick and Leamington have been paralysed by congestion and suffocated by pollution.
“How can all these works have come at once and been so poorly timed?
“Why were works not completed during the pandemic and lockdowns when fewer motorists were on the roads?”
He has urged council chiefs to respond to residents’ concerns and work for an immediate solution.
