Motorists are facing long delays on the A53 after temporary lights went up on the stretch. Works are currently underway in Sneyd Green where a manhole cover collapsed.
And while it’s fixed temporary lights are up near to the junction with Berwick Road. It comes as the route has been extremely busy during rush-hour this week after the area was hit by wintry conditions.
The icy side roads have resulted in motorists sticking to main routes – such as Leek New Road – to avoid getting stuck in any treacherous conditions. This week has seen queues going from Stockton Brook all the way to Cobridge lights with motorists reporting it being ‘bumper-to-bumper’.
Those delays look likely to be worsened today after emergency works got underway to repair the collapsed manhole cover. It is understood residents had reported the condition of the cover as concerns were raised over the loud noise coming from it when struck by traffic.
That problem is thought to have been going on for around four weeks. But this week it collapsed and has now had to be coned off. Community leaders in Sneyd Green have told motorists to give themselves extra time to get through the neighbourhood.
For real-time traffic and travel updates for North Staffordshire follow our dedicated live blog here.
Get daily headlines and breaking news emailed to you – it’s FREE