Gridlocked: weekend traffic chaos in our towns as works take place in main road

The closure of Princes Drive as part of the Morrisons development at the old Ford Foundry site along with Severn Trent works in Old Town had a knock-on effect which led to tailbacks stretching from one town to the other.

Myton Road, Old Warwick Road, Willes Road, Emscote Road, Europa Way, Tachbrook Park Drive and Adelaide Road were among those affected.

Trevor Wood, who witnessed the congestion, said the problems highlighted the need for Warwickshire County Council to improve the road network in both towns before any new housing developments are built.

Mr Wood, of Landor Road, Whitnash, said: “At recent consultations held about the proposed numerous housing developments South of the river, the point concerning traffic crossing five already congested bridges was highlighted and seemingly dismissed by both developers and Warwick District Council on the basis of cost.

“The closure of Princes Drive highlighted the point about traffic chaos admirably - It virtually brought the roads in and around Warwick and Leamington to a standstill.

“The time to get from Whitnash to Warwick was in excess of an hour.

“All developers and the district council must now see the need to enhance the road infrastructure and add a new bridge before even considering sanctioning more housing developments south of Warwick and Leamington.”

The work involved the demolition of the footbridge over Princes Drive to improve the junction at the foundry site.

Speaking before the closures took place both last weekend and the weekend before Cllr Peter Butlin, the Warwickshire County Councillor responsible for policy on highways and transport, apologised for any inconvenience caused and said the closures were necessary to reduce the overall length of time the works would take and the delays experienced by motorists.

Work on the Morrisons development is expected to be completed in the spring. www.warwickshire.gov.uk/morrisonsroadworks